Ouse it or Lose it formed to address York river pollution

Ouse it or Lose it, a newly formed community group in York, is launching a campaign to improve water quality, raise public awareness and involve residents in protecting the city’s rivers.

The group is bringing together residents, river users, scientists and campaigners to encourage informed, community-led action.

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Emilie Flower, a participant in the project, said: “York’s rivers are a huge part of the city’s identity, but many people feel disconnected from them or concerned about water quality.

“This is about bringing people together to understand the issues, including the risks better and to explore what positive action might look like locally.”

The group’s launch event, taking place on Friday (May 30) at Clements Hall, features a screening of the documentary Rave on for the Avon, which tells the story of a community reclaiming and protecting their river.

The group are working with York City Rowing Club, academics from the University of York, Surfers Against Sewage and the River Foss Society, after a protest held earlier this month to raise awareness of pollution on the city’s rivers.

Campaigners said that the Ouse had been chosen as it was the third most polluted river in England and Wales, with over 18 thousand hours of sewage discharged each year – something that Yorkshire Water has said it is ‘determined’ to play its part in addressing.

An ongoing crowdfunder aims to keep prices for the launch event affordable and tickets are available via Eventbrite