Partnership working at a catchment scale provide the opportunity for local communities to develop a shared understanding of how the catchment functions, identify pressures and develop a vision for a catchment that provides maximum benefits to communities and the environment.
Communities can identify with the environment at the catchment scale. Local partnerships operating at this scale can provide a vehicle for planning and delivery that enables and empowers local communities and community groups to undertake activities that contribute to the delivery of outcomes supporting both very local and catchment scale ambition.
Unlocking and harnessing community support for catchment action is key to ensuring a more sustainable approach to managing the water environment and a central focus for the Catchment Based Approach.
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Love the Lea
East London’s rivers are some of the most polluted in Britain, running with high levels of e-coli sewage bacteria, wastewater from people’s homes and poisonous oils and chemicals from our roads. Polluted water flows down the Lea Valley past the homes of thousands of people, reducing the quality of the rivers they enjoy. To address this challenge, Thames21 launched the Love the Lea Campaign.
How to engage the public in the water environment
Individuals and local communities play a crucial role in improving the water environment, from volunteering and campaigning to monitoring water quality, and their involvement is essential.