Cleaner Nidd, Fit for Life
Nidd Action Group
Knaresborough March 31st meeting - Update on speakers and their presentations
Further information here………
You have got to read this practical stuff from the experts who will be at our meeting. Lots of food for thought, and for action.
Come along and take part. You are welcome anytime, and there is a session particularly for the general public from 2.45 onwards.
Together we can make a difference to the Nidd
You will probably be aware that there are currently two Commissions taking place on our Water Systems, following concern about legislation, regulation and management of our freshwater - for our health, our environment and our pockets!
The Government has just launched an official commission (web references in the media release below).
independent individuals concerned about the limited scope of this have launched a parallel 'Peoples Commission', reporting in the same short time scale . (more information in all of the web links below)
NAG encourages you to get involved in both commissions, but especially in the Knaresborough event on March 31st! (the agenda is above)
For us, we have an opportunity to take part face to face, as one of the four sessions, on 'Resilient Water Systems' is being held in Knaresborough on March 31st, hosted by Nidd Action Group
Our NAG Public Meeting on February 25th included discussion about more natural ways of handling surface-water and treating waste-water, that avoid or minimise the use of concrete.
Now we have experts in Universities and in engineering (and in Knaresborough)showing us how we might do better! And we can have our say!
peoplescommission_brief_media_release.pdf
commission_knaresborough_agenda.pdf
commission_panel2.pdf
Come along! Any questions before the event, email us here
and to register for any of the four peoples commission events, including our knaresborough event, 'reserve a spot' on
People's Commission: International Water Systems Tickets, Thu 27 Mar 2025 at 13:00 | Eventbrite
The Government has just launched an official commission (web references in the media release below).
independent individuals concerned about the limited scope of this have launched a parallel 'Peoples Commission', reporting in the same short time scale . (more information in all of the web links below)
NAG encourages you to get involved in both commissions, but especially in the Knaresborough event on March 31st! (the agenda is above)
For us, we have an opportunity to take part face to face, as one of the four sessions, on 'Resilient Water Systems' is being held in Knaresborough on March 31st, hosted by Nidd Action Group
Our NAG Public Meeting on February 25th included discussion about more natural ways of handling surface-water and treating waste-water, that avoid or minimise the use of concrete.
Now we have experts in Universities and in engineering (and in Knaresborough)showing us how we might do better! And we can have our say!
peoplescommission_brief_media_release.pdf
commission_knaresborough_agenda.pdf
commission_panel2.pdf
Come along! Any questions before the event, email us here
and to register for any of the four peoples commission events, including our knaresborough event, 'reserve a spot' on
People's Commission: International Water Systems Tickets, Thu 27 Mar 2025 at 13:00 | Eventbrite
Our Aims
A Cleaner Nidd, Fit for Life
Make rivers safe for all.
Rivers should be safe for everyone - from invertebrates (which are a vital part of the food chain) to fish, birds, animals and people.
Stop sewage pollution.
End the illegal release of untreated sewage into the River Nidd
Raise the bar.
Improve standards, so legally discharged waste doesn't harm the River Nidd
Where are we at
'A summary of NAG's 2023' Read the Stray Ferret article here
- A bid has been submitted for Designated Bathing Water Status for The Lido. Read more here and here
- 'The Lido now has designated Bathing Water Status as a result of community pressure, and Environment Agency is undertaking weekly E. Coli samples. To see the latest results Bathing water quality
- Yorkshire Water have proposed investment in sewage treatment and the sewerage network in their business plan for 2025-2030 Read more here and here.
- A document from January 2024 summarises very briefly what NAG did in 2023, with links to two maps showing the results of our sampling in terms of human health and chemical pollution at the 45 locations sampled. View it here. The document also identifies what we don't yet know and therefore what we need to do to fill in those gaps in our knowledge during 2024 and beyond, building on what we have discovered during our 2023 surveys Detailed specific plans based on this analysis will develop over the next few months
Recent News
13 March 2025
Poster for the March 31st meeting here
Please advertise the meeting to your friends, family, colleagues, groups. We want a large number of committed, informed local citizens at the meeting, so we can improve our rivers for the long term.
7 March 2025
5 March 2025
The Peoples Commission event at Knaresborough on March 31st. Come along! Details here……..
18th February 2025
NAG Annual Report for 2024 and Aims beyond
View NAG's annual report for 2024, which includes our Aims for 2025 and beyond here
It reminds you what NAG has been up to and outlines the ways in which volunteers can help the River Nidd, learn some skills and enjoy themselves too!
If you have any comments about the report, please send them to us here
Better still, come along to our public meeting in Knaresborough next Tuesday February 25th! Programme here
Talk with us and a variety of experts PLUS those responsible for making and delivering the plans to improve the river over the next five years.
It's your best chance to make an impact!"
View NAG's annual report for 2024, which includes our Aims for 2025 and beyond here
It reminds you what NAG has been up to and outlines the ways in which volunteers can help the River Nidd, learn some skills and enjoy themselves too!
If you have any comments about the report, please send them to us here
Better still, come along to our public meeting in Knaresborough next Tuesday February 25th! Programme here
Talk with us and a variety of experts PLUS those responsible for making and delivering the plans to improve the river over the next five years.
It's your best chance to make an impact!"
2 February 2025
Thames Water Court Case on Monday February 3rd about its possible restructuring and £3Bn loan. Details here…..
28th January 2025
9th January 2025
8th January 2025
Bathing waters report in Yorkshire Byelines
Here is another published report about the SAS / Watershed / University of York surveys of national bathing waters, including NAG's work on the Nidd at the Lido. Click to read the report
Here is another published report about the SAS / Watershed / University of York surveys of national bathing waters, including NAG's work on the Nidd at the Lido. Click to read the report
8th January 2025
A Public Consultation on Plans for the Nidd
A public meeting is being arranged in late February with all major stakeholders (including YOU!) at which the plans for the river Nidd will be presented and discussed. NAG's Annual General Meeting will also be held during the event, which will be at COGS in Gracious Street, Knaresborough.
More details to follow'.
A public meeting is being arranged in late February with all major stakeholders (including YOU!) at which the plans for the river Nidd will be presented and discussed. NAG's Annual General Meeting will also be held during the event, which will be at COGS in Gracious Street, Knaresborough.
More details to follow'.
20th December 2024
16th December 2024
12th December 2024
5th December 2024
27th November 2024
20th November 2024
6th November 2024
16th October 2024
16th October 2024
11th October 2024
11th October 2024
3rd October 2024
Lido Bathing Water Safety Update
The bathing water season has ended for the Nidd at Knaresborough's Lido (though not for Knaresborough's hardy wild swimmers, who keep swimming throughout the year)
That means that Environment Agency weekly monitoring for E. coli concentrations (a marker for risk to human health when swimming) ceases. There is still one more data value to be published. Bathing water profile (data.gov.uk)
The latest available concentration on September 20th is 1700 cfus
Above 900 cfus the water is regarded as POOR for swimming, and requires investigation and improvement
Of the 20 samples taken so far 75% have shown POOR quality, with extreme concentrations of 9300 on July 15th and 5800 on September 10th.
This link provides more details of NAG's activities at the Lido and along the whole of the river Nidd, and the research into the Nidd that NAG is involved with, including some results we are expecting within weeks.
Now we await the Environment Agency and Yorkshire Water's response to this information, and NAG intends to work closely with them and other stakeholders to make rapid and sustainable improvements in water quality
The bathing water season has ended for the Nidd at Knaresborough's Lido (though not for Knaresborough's hardy wild swimmers, who keep swimming throughout the year)
That means that Environment Agency weekly monitoring for E. coli concentrations (a marker for risk to human health when swimming) ceases. There is still one more data value to be published. Bathing water profile (data.gov.uk)
The latest available concentration on September 20th is 1700 cfus
Above 900 cfus the water is regarded as POOR for swimming, and requires investigation and improvement
Of the 20 samples taken so far 75% have shown POOR quality, with extreme concentrations of 9300 on July 15th and 5800 on September 10th.
This link provides more details of NAG's activities at the Lido and along the whole of the river Nidd, and the research into the Nidd that NAG is involved with, including some results we are expecting within weeks.
Now we await the Environment Agency and Yorkshire Water's response to this information, and NAG intends to work closely with them and other stakeholders to make rapid and sustainable improvements in water quality
26th September
6th September 2024
22 August 2024
OFWAT fine and the future of the Nidd
The whopping fine by OFWAT to Yorkshire Water is now a couple of weeks old. NAG has held back its comments to let the dust settle before providing some rational suggestions for what needs to change in order to have improved river water quality.
We have met with our new MP, Tom Gordon, at The Lido, see the attached NAG briefing document we provided for him.
NAG has a meeting arranged in early September with the Head of Yorkshire Water's River Health team
Collaborative activities with the major stakeholders, organised by YDRT and NAG, are being discussed in September.
We are working hard with others to improve the Nidd
The whopping fine by OFWAT to Yorkshire Water is now a couple of weeks old. NAG has held back its comments to let the dust settle before providing some rational suggestions for what needs to change in order to have improved river water quality.
We have met with our new MP, Tom Gordon, at The Lido, see the attached NAG briefing document we provided for him.
NAG has a meeting arranged in early September with the Head of Yorkshire Water's River Health team
Collaborative activities with the major stakeholders, organised by YDRT and NAG, are being discussed in September.
We are working hard with others to improve the Nidd
22 August 2024
Historical report by BCG on pollution in Oak Beck.
Keith Wilkinson and his colleagues from the Bilton Conservation Group produced this report in 2022 about pollution in Oak Beck, Harrogate over the years.
BCG have worked for decades, and continue to work on getting the beck clean and healthy.
This report was submitted to the leaders of DEFRA, OFWAT, North Yorkshire County Council and Yorkshire Water in an attempt to get some action to improve the river.
The report contains a wealth of relevant information for us all to guide continuing efforts to improve the river.
Keith Wilkinson and his colleagues from the Bilton Conservation Group produced this report in 2022 about pollution in Oak Beck, Harrogate over the years.
BCG have worked for decades, and continue to work on getting the beck clean and healthy.
This report was submitted to the leaders of DEFRA, OFWAT, North Yorkshire County Council and Yorkshire Water in an attempt to get some action to improve the river.
The report contains a wealth of relevant information for us all to guide continuing efforts to improve the river.
28th July 2024
22nd July 2024
13th July 2024
9thth July 2024
3rd July 2024
Upcoming event "The River Wharfe: its wonders and its woes"
Saturday July 20th from 1.30 onwards at St Peters Church Hall, Addingham, Ilkley
An afternoon (and evening if you want some hands on outdoors stuff) all about the Wharfe. Displays, talks and discussion details attached
The Wharfe, the Nidd's bigger neighbour, was the inspiration for NAG's citizen science work and getting Bathing Water Status.
They are a great bunch of people and we still have a lot to learn from them. I am going! More details here
Saturday July 20th from 1.30 onwards at St Peters Church Hall, Addingham, Ilkley
An afternoon (and evening if you want some hands on outdoors stuff) all about the Wharfe. Displays, talks and discussion details attached
The Wharfe, the Nidd's bigger neighbour, was the inspiration for NAG's citizen science work and getting Bathing Water Status.
They are a great bunch of people and we still have a lot to learn from them. I am going! More details here
5th June 2024
17 May 2024
13 May 2024
Listen to NAG's wild swimmers plus David Clayden talking with Jim Addyman of Radio York about the background to NAG's origins and the point of getting Bathing Water status for The Lido (interviews are at approx 07:08am and 08:09am on the bulletin)