Waterwatch UK

09/08/2026

💧 Why can different water quality platforms tell us different things?

It’s something residents have raised with us repeatedly, and it was an important discussion at our recent Waterwatch Southend Community Water Quality Summit.

There is more water quality information available to the public than ever before. But different platforms can use different data, monitoring methods and ways of presenting information.

For residents simply trying to understand what’s happening in their local waters, it can be confusing.

So we’re taking action.

On Wednesday 26 August, Waterwatch UK will bring together our new Water Quality Data Working Group for the first time at Leigh Marina Pop Up Space.

We’ll be bringing together community organisations, public bodies, regulators, local authorities, MPs’ offices and water companies to:

💧 Understand how different monitoring and reporting systems work
💧 Explore why information can sometimes appear inconsistent
💧 Identify gaps in data and public understanding
💧 Look at how water quality information can be communicated more clearly
💧 Find opportunities for better collaboration and data sharing

The aim isn’t to create another monitoring platform. It’s to make the information we already have easier for communities to understand and use.

Want to be part of the conversation?

Register to join us on 26 August:

08/08/2026

07/08/2026

Another great Southend Water Summit today, bringing residents, community groups, businesses, Anglian Water, the Environment Agency and Southend City Council into the same room.

Lots of challenge, lots of questions and, importantly, some clear actions to take forward.

This is exactly why Waterwatch exists. Creating the space for communities to ask questions, hear directly from those responsible and work together to protect our local water environment.

22/05/2026

Waterwatch Southend Water Quality Summit

Community led.
Community powered.
Community voices being heard.

Thank you to everyone continuing to support the conversation around water quality in Southend and the future of our local waters.

Together, we keep the pressure on for transparency, accountability and action.

11/03/2026

Waterwatch Southend Community Committee – Members Wanted

We are recruiting 2–4 new members to join the Waterwatch Southend Community Committee.

The committee represents local residents and helps shape discussions at the Southend Water Quality Summits, engaging with organisations such as the Environment Agency, Ofwat, Southend City Council and Anglian Water.

If you care about the health of our local coastline, this is an opportunity to help represent the community.

How to put yourself forward

Become a Waterwatch UK member
https://waterwatchuk.org/civicrm/contribute/transact/?reset=1&id=1

Email [email protected] with a short note explaining why you would like to join.

Deadline to put yourself forward: Friday 10 April
Members will receive a ballot the following week with 24 hours to vote.

Please note: elected political representatives (eg councillors or MPs) cannot stand as committee members.

Full details:
https://waterwatchuk.org/blog/waterwatch-southend-community-committee-members-wanted/

Reading Time: < 1 minuteWaterwatch Southend is recruiting 2–4 new community members to join the Southend Community Committee. The committee represents the local community and works with key stakeholders to improve the health of our rivers, estuaries and coastline. Members help shape discussions at...

14/02/2026

💧Yesterday I joined the first Water Summit run by Waterwatch UK and a community panel. I was able to update the group on

🚽 My work in Parliament towards a ban on “Flushable” wet wipes

📑 The governments new white paper bringing tougher regulation and controls to the water industry

🌊 The work I am doing to monitor CSO overflows into the sea and how I will hold Anglian Water to account for excess illegal discharges.

Well done to Waterwatch for their successful first summit!

13/02/2026

Great first community led water quality summit held by the Waterwatch Southend Committee today. Thank you to everyone that joined and made it a huge success.

12/02/2026

We’re looking forward to the first community led water quality summit tomorrow.

The agenda can be found here alongside previous minutes:

Water Quality Summits Agenda: February 2026 Minutes for Previous Water Summits November 2024February 2025June 2025October 2025 Agendas for Previous Water Summits November 2024February 2025June 2025October 2025 Community Meetings Minutes for recent Community Meetings November 2025 July 2025 May 2025....

26/11/2025

Southend has now elected its first Waterwatch Community Committee.
Thank you to everyone who voted, stood as a candidate and attended the meeting.

Seven members were elected by the community to lead local action on water quality, accountability and public engagement.
This marks a major step toward a fully community-led model in Southend.

You can read the full results, meeting minutes and governance documents here:
https://waterwatchuk.org/blog/southend-community-committee-elections-results-and-meeting-recap/

Every member still has a role to play: spreading the word, attending meetings and helping strengthen our voice.
This is just the start.

Reading Time: 2 minutesThank you to every Waterwatch Southend member who attended the Community Meeting on Monday 24 November and to everyone who voted online or in person. Your involvement continues to build a strong, local, community-led model for holding those responsible for our water quality to...