Faversham and Villages Water Quality Testing Group, FAVWAT
FAVERSHAM AND VILLAGES WATER QUALITY TESTING GROUP 2025 UPDATE
The Faversham and Villages Water Quality Testing Group, FAVWAT, has been testing water quality in and around Faversham; including The White Drain that comes out at Seasalter, The Westbrook, Thorne Creek, The Cooksditch, Oare Creek and Faversham Creek itself. Our aim, to ensure Faversham Creek and surrounding waters are clean and healthy, for people, for fisheries and for wildlife.
We are delighted to have affiliated to Faversham Creek Trust, grateful for the funding they provide for testing equipment and for the use of the Purifier Building
One of our first testing sites was on the creek water opposite the main outflow of Faversham Waste Water Treatment Works. Here we were testing for nitrate, phosphate and ammonia. We have chosen these tests as an excess can cause eutrophication, that is a lack of oxygen in the water, leading to algal blooms which in turn leads to the suffocation of aquatic life.
Our results taken as an average over a 12 month period, show that the creek water contains phosphate levels roughly between 2-3mg PO4-P/litre and nitrate levels 10-21mg NO3-N/litre. If the creek was categorised as a ‘sensitive environment’, which unfortunately it appears it is not, despite being within a Ramsar Site of International Importance, a Marine Conservation Zone and a Shellfish Water Protected Area, then these levels would exceed annual limits.
We have also been testing for E-Coli, specifically the waters around the head of the creek near the swing bridge and the TS Hazard building. Our results here are also worrying. Results over a year show consistent levels above the maximum the tests can calculate, that is over 10,000 CFUs/100ml (coliform forming units). To put this in context, there was concern recently at the Paris Olympics swimming event when tests from the River Seine returned E-Coli results of 1,000cfu. Tests from the River Thames caused uproar at the Boat Race this year, where a reading of 2,869cfu was obtained, both significantly below the 10,000cfu readings obtained from Faversham Creek. Our result is of particular concern as the creek is regularly used by rowers from Cinque Ports Rowing
However without enforceable standards there is a limit to what we can do. Our work, in collaboration with Faversham Town Council therefore is now moving towards combining testing with campaigning for the creek to be designated a sensitive area, that is an area with clear limits to the amount of pollution being discharged into local waters, from whatever source. To assist with this we are moving to testing using more accurate digital equipment with funds received. These results will be compatible with those used by the Environment Agency and other national groups.
Thinking of helping out? New members are very welcome, join us, help us ensure clean waters for Faversham; protecting people, protecting fisheries, and protecting wildlife too! Contact favwat@favershamcreektrust.com