A lot is happening at Waterwatch UK! From community engagement to big organisational changes, here’s what we’ve been working on.
Community Meeting Recap
We recently held a Community Meeting on 4th March to discuss our progress, upcoming plans, and how we can work together to make a bigger impact. You can read the full minutes here:
???? Waterwatch UK Community Meeting Minutes
Southend Waterwatch Day – Coming Soon!
We’re excited to announce Southend Waterwatch Day, a community event designed to educate and engage people about our coastline and sewer system. The plan is to set up stations across key locations in the borough, providing insight into how our water systems work and what we can do to protect them. More details to follow, watch this space!
Working Group Meeting This Friday
This Friday, local MP’s David Burton-Sampson and Bayo Alaba will be leading a discussion on how the Water Quality Summits can transition to a community-led model. This is a key step in ensuring local voices drive meaningful change.
Transitioning to a Charity
After careful consideration, Waterwatch UK will be transitioning from a Limited Company to a charity. This move will open up more funding opportunities, provide better long-term sustainability, and align with our mission to serve communities in a more structured way. We’ll be sharing more details on what this means soon.
We’re Recruiting Trustees!
As we transition to a charity, we are looking for passionate and skilled individuals to join our Board of Trustees. This is a fantastic opportunity to help shape the future of Waterwatch UK and ensure we continue to hold polluters accountable while empowering communities.
We are currently recruiting for trustees with expertise in:
???? Environmental & Policy Advocacy – Driving campaigns and influencing policy change.
???? Governance & Leadership – Overseeing strategy, decision-making, and board effectiveness.
???? Finance & Fundraising – Managing budgets, securing grants, and developing sustainable funding.
???? Legal & Compliance – Ensuring regulatory adherence and providing legal guidance.
???? Marketing & Communications – Leading outreach, digital media, and public engagement.
???? Community Engagement – Strengthening relationships with local groups and stakeholders.
If you have experience in any of these areas and are passionate about driving real change, we’d love to hear from you.
???? Click here for more details on how to apply
Building Stronger Connections
We’ve been having great conversations with other organisations tackling similar issues, including:
- Giles Bristow, CEO at Surfers Against Sewage
- Laura Reineke, founder of Friends of the Thames, which is also making the transition from a limited company to a charity
Collaboration is key, and we’re excited about how we can work together to strengthen our collective impact.
Our New Website – A Work in Progress
If you’ve visited our website recently, you’ll notice a fresh new look! While a lot is still “coming soon,” we’re working hard to build a better, more user-friendly platform to support our work. Keep checking back for updates!
Get Involved
Want to support our work? Whether it’s volunteering, attending an event, or spreading the word, your involvement makes a difference. Stay tuned for more opportunities to get involved!
???? Follow us on Instagram and Facebook for the latest updates!
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Community Calls for Formalisation of Water Quality Summit Committee in March
Reading Time: 4 minutesWaterwatch UK announces that a formal independent community-led committee will be established in March to shape the future of Southend’s Water Quality Summits. This process will ensure a structured, transparent, and inclusive approach to tackling water pollution and holding key stakeholders accountable. Recent Water Summits have failed to deliver real accountability or commitments from those…
Victory for Waterwatch UK: Our Proposal to Be Discussed at the Next Water Quality Summit!
Reading Time: < 1 minuteWe are thrilled to share a major milestone in our journey to empower communities and drive real change in water governance. Last night, David Burton-Sampson MP called to inform us that our proposal for the future of the Water Summits will now be discussed at tomorrow’s Water Quality Summit. This is a huge step forward…
Update on Funding and Future Decisions
Reading Time: < 1 minuteWe are pleased to share that Waterwatch UK has received news about potential funding from other local sources. As a result, we have made the decision to discontinue Anglian Water’s match funding at this time. While we are no longer proceeding with this specific funding arrangement, we recognise that there may be future instances where…
The Origins and Evolution of the Southend Water Summits
Reading Time: 7 minutesThe Water Summits began in March 2023, sparked by my deep frustration with the state of our water quality. As a cold water swimmer in Leigh On Sea, I saw first hand the devastating impact of raw sewage discharges and knew that urgent action was needed. I approached my then MP, Anna Firth, to highlight…
Statement on Southend MPs Voting Against Amendment 16 to the Water Bill
Reading Time: < 1 minuteWe are deeply disappointed that both of Southend’s MPs, David Burton-Sampson and Bayo Alaba, chose to vote against Amendment 16 to the Water (Special Measures) Bill. This amendment would have ensured that fines imposed on water companies for pollution were reinvested directly into improving water quality, rather than allowing companies to pass the cost onto…
Understanding CSOs: When Appearances Can Be Deceiving
Reading Time: 2 minutesAt Waterwatch UK, we’re committed to holding all parties accountable when it comes to protecting our water systems. A key part of this mission is ensuring transparency and clarity in reporting Combined Sewer Overflow (CSO) activity. Sometimes, what looks like a spill might not be one at all and that’s why accurate monitoring and regular…