Nottinghamshire's Waterways: Test for Safety, Paddle for Fun

0:00On March 13th, a top canoe athlete from Nottinghamshire is calling on locals to help test water quality in the area's rivers, streams, and lakes. Beth Gill took gold at the 2022 ICF canoe marathon world championships and is training for the Los Angeles Olympics. As a PhD student in microbiology, she's leading a project funded by National Lottery Operator Alwyn to check for microbial contamination. Volunteers get a sampling kit mailed to them, complete with an ice pack and tube. They collect water from any spot in the county, note the location using the what-the-words app, and send it back to her lab. Results will appear on an interactive online map. Conuous like Beth spend hours training on these waters and often deal with stomach bugs they call Trent Belly after swallowing water or capsizing. She highlights both the stunning views and the hidden health risks that worry the water sports community. The effort partners with the Environment Agency, which shares its own monitoring data to spot problem areas and guide cleanup work.

1:02Officials say this teamwork will boost their push for cleaner rivers and lakes. With the sampling window open until July 31st, Beth hopes the findings encourage safer enjoyment of Nottinghamshire's waterways without, scaring anyone away from paddling.