Bedfordshire Great Ouse Valley Environmental Trust
Bedfordshire Great Ouse Valley Environmental Trust (BedsGOVET) is the voice of Bedfordshire’s concern about the alarming state of pollution in the River Great Ouse through our county.
We are a registered charity and the only organisation that tests the river for pollutants and our results are drawing high levels of interest from the community particularly as our results are showing continuous readings of nitrate, phosphate and e-coli levels far above safety margins*.
Our aim is to clearly identify the sources of pollution in the river and working with our sponsors and volunteer citizen scientists, help to manage the return of the river to a safe and healthy state.
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Our Vision
A River Great Ouse which is clear and free of pollutants, with a number of river sections achieving designated bathing water status. Along the river, in the riparian zone and valley area, there are increasing levels of biodiversity for plants, animal and insect species with a connected nature corridor along the river and its catchment. The river and valley are recognised as a place of natural beauty, generating a feeling of well-being to those who live, work and play along the river as well as those who visit the area.
Our Current Activities
In 2023, BedsGOVET, alongside our dedicated volunteers, conducted extensive water quality tests on the River Great Ouse, revealing significant nitrate, phosphate, and e-coli pollution at levels of which at times were alarmingly above safe limits, posing a serious threat to both aquatic and human life. Thanks to sponsorships from Woodleigh Impact and Earthwatch, we developed a programme of testing across eight sites, assessing a broad range of contaminants. This effort is documented and is now being shared widely, with regular features in The Bedford Independent, enhancing public awareness and engagement.
From February 2024, our testing has been extended to 12 sites, supported by Wells & Co and contributions from Bedford Borough Council members. This expansion will not only include advanced monitoring technology but also foster stronger collaborations with local entities and the Environment Agency.
Our goal evolves towards pinpointing pollution sources and spearheading efforts for the river's restoration. As the sole monitor of e-coli levels in the Great Ouse, BedsGOVET is pioneering the push for actionable data to safeguard our community's health and environment.
Our initiative,"Don’t Lose the Ouse", represents a crucial step towards a cleaner, healthier river, underscored by our growing partnerships and community support. .

Our 5 Year Plan
Years 1 & 2 (2024-2025)
The initial phase will focus on expanding our citizen science program and river monitoring framework, introducing more sophisticated monitoring equipment, extending our collaborative network and engaging with the local communities, local government and businesses to create momentum for change. A primary objective in this period is to identify all pollution sources and methods of mitigation.
We will look to strengthen our reputation and governance practices and prioritise efforts to secure diverse funding sources. We will also begin the process of achieving bathing water status for selected river sections.

Quotes
England is "a country we've allowed to be stripped of nature, where every river is polluted, and almost every hill and wood technically off limits. We have wrecked our land not because we are evil, but because too many of us are disconnected from nature and so are not inclined to protect it."
www.alastairhumphreys.com, @al_humphrey
"Rivers are the still the lifeline of the UK, and that none pass good overall health status represents a national failure. More needs to be done to urgently clean up our water".
"The Anglian and Thames river basin districts had the worst water quality in the UK, with over 80% of surveys showing unacceptable nutrient concentrations".
Dr Leon Barron, School of Public Health 2024
The UK's antiquated, outdated sewerage system is in a terrible state. It cannot cope with the combined problems of increasing population, urbanisation and climate change. In 2022 there were over 399,864 discharges of untreated sewage into UK rivers.
Our study highlights the disproportionate impact that sewage discharge has on river quality, presenting an urgent need for a comprehensive action plan targeting the sewage discharge problem. Improvements to waste water plants should be implemented along with more regulations. These efforts are crucial in safeguarding the integrity and safety of our rivers — fundamental elements of both ecosystems and human wellbeing.
Dr Dania Albini (Department of Biology, University of Oxford), lead author of the study Sept 2023
"Don't Lose the Ouse"
We have a series of articles published in the Bedford Independent as part of their Don't Lose the Ouse column which will run for 12 months from March 2024. Click the links below to read:
- Jan 2024: Campaigners warn that River Great Ouse carries "dangerous" levels of E.coli
- Feb 2024: Wells & Co and Bedford Independent team up with water quality campaigners
- Mar 2024: Standing room only as Don't Lose the Ouse campaign launched
- Apr 2024: Don't Lose the Ouse campaign expands testing programme thanks to new equipment
- May 2024: Bedford's Great River Ouse e-coli levels hit new high
- May 2024: Anglian Water found guilty of failing to provide treatment records (** we were asked to comment on this article, but not part of our monthly column.)
- Aug 2024: Monthly column: New funding will help increase River Great Ouse water quality tests
- Sep 2024: Monthly column: Optimism over Water Bill but more needs to be done
- Oct 2024: Ofwat fines criticised as Anglian Water revealed to be second highest polluter in England and Wales - Bedford Independent
- Dec 2024: BedsGOVET at Bedford Borough's Learning Exchange
- Jan 2025: BedsGOVET - 2024 a year in review and our 2025 plans
Charity Status
Bedfordshire Great Ouse Valley Environmental Trust (BedsGOVET), Charity Number 1198830, was registered by the Charity Commission for England and Wales on 5th May 2022. Our charitable object, as stated in our constitution and agreed by the charity commission, is:
To promote for the benefit of the public the conservation, protection and improvement of the physical and natural environment of the Great Ouse Valley and environs in Bedfordshire through a programme of river monitoring and community engagement and by the advancement of the education of the public in the understanding of the importance of river quality on biodiversity, economic and social activity.
Contact
In the first instance, please contact us via our Facebook page:
or email us at info@bedsgovet.org