Friends of the River Medway (FORM) is a volunteer-led group working to improve the river’s health and ecology for the benefit of local communities and wildlife. Sussex Community Foundation gave the group a grant towards the annual running costs of Project Ripple Effect. This citizen science programme trains volunteers to monitor water quality and identify pollution incidents.
Regular testing has helped create vital baseline data, enabling volunteers to spot changes in water quality and highlight issues like sewage pollution. The work benefits people living near the upper stretches of the River Medway, as well as the many visitors who enjoy the surrounding countryside, including Ashdown Forest.
As well as monitoring the river, volunteers engage local people through community events, raising awareness of the challenges facing our waterways and encouraging residents to play an active role in protecting them. The project also brings people together, helping volunteers build connections, improve their wellbeing and spend time in nature.
The impact of this work was particularly demonstrated in September 2025 when a serious pollution incident was discovered near Groombridge Place. A local resident who had attended one of Project Ripple Effect’s outreach events noticed raw sewage flowing into a tributary of the River Medway and knew who to contact.
Trained volunteers responded quickly, identifying severe contamination, high ammonia levels and dead fish downstream. Their evidence and swift reporting helped ensure a rapid response from Southern Water and prompted urgent repairs.
The incident highlighted the importance of community-led action and the difference local people can make when they have the knowledge, skills and support to respond.
“Without our network of volunteers, the damage could have been far worse. This event underscores the vital role of citizen science in protecting our rivers. It is a powerful reminder of why we monitor, why we train, and why Ripple Effect exists.”
Project Ripple Effect is helping communities care for their local environment, protect precious natural habitats and create a healthier future for both people and nature. Find out more here.
This project was funded under our Acting on Climate funding priority. Through this, we support local organisations taking local action for the climate.
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