Fixing the Dart…
Totnes based group Friends of the Dart are hoping they can raise a £30,000 target to
“…enable us to open up even more of the River for everyone to enjoy, in every way possible, giving clear information about bacterial content from three further sites for a year. These new test results will be made public and used to hold the water company to account so that we progress towards infrastructure upgrades that will eradicate sewage spills.”
With rewards from many local businesses including a paddleboard guided trip, dinner on a wooden sailing ship, a mindfulness retreat, dining vouchers and print from artist Stuart Taylor as incentives to encourage people to invest in our beautiful river.
South West Water have come under considerable criticism regarding all the local waterways with analysis indicating that 70,779 hours of sewage was dumped across the South Hams in 2023 which is the equivalent of more than eight years. – Local MP Caroline Voaden previously stated “It is disgusting that South West Water pumped filthy sewage into our waterways so many times last year. To be the sixth worst council in the country is truly shocking.”
Local businesswoman, Geetie Singh-Watson is backing the group saying “I long for it to be cleaner, I long for it to be full of fish, that’s why I’m right behind the Friends of the River Dart”
The Friends of the Dart are born of a group of swimmers who became ill after swimming in the river and have expanded to include “ a strong inclusive and collaborative community of walkers, paddlers, runners, kayakers, sailors, River lovers, anglers, farmers, landowners”
Wanting to know “What is in the water?” they determined to find out and what could be done to resolve any pollution issues.
The money raised is match-funded by the Devon Environment Foundation and will go to water quality testing, laboratory analysis and results and testing equipment. A part-time position for the collection, analysis and reporting results of the water quality. 40 water testing kits and creation of an app alongside several other initiatives.
The fund has already raised over £23,000 at time of writing and with 10 days to go, looks set to hit the target.
You can visit the crowdfunder here: https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/friends-of-the-dart—fundraiser