Your waterways need you!
An easy, unique way to make a real difference for your local rivers, canals and lakes.
With Water Patrol, we’re calling on citizens in London, Leeds and Oxford to help us see what’s happening in local waterways – using simple test kits and our free app – to track pollution and drive change.
How does it work?
Order your testing kit (150 first kits are free). We’ll send you everything you need to test your local river, canal or lake – no scientific background needed. You can join as an individual, a group or a family.
Test your waterway. Follow simple instructions to test for phosphate, nitrate and nitrite, pH and temperature.
Record your results. Record everything on the Planet Patrol app in minutes.
Repeat. You’ll test the same spot every two weeks, helping us track how water quality changes over time.
Who can take part?
Anyone! That’s what we call citizen science – people-powered research that helps build real evidence.
You don’t need any experience in testing, and our kits and app are easy to use.
An adult must be responsible for any under 18s at all times during the water testing, and only adults can use the app to upload results.
Are you in a water sports or activity group? You can join as a group and only one adult needs to upload results.
How will we use your results?
The data you collect won’t sit in a drawer. It will help build a nationwide evidence base about water pollution.
We use this data to campaign for stronger water protections, hold polluters accountable, and influence policies to safeguard rivers, canals and lakes.
In previous campaigns, citizen scientists collected data that contributed to our “What Lies Beneath” water quality report — revealing toxic metals, nutrients, and other pollutants in UK waterways.
Why take part?
1. A gentle excuse to get outside – on your own or with family or friends.
2. A simple but powerful way to look after the places you love.
3. A community of citizen scientists driving real change.
Order your free kit
You’re just one step away from becoming a Water Patroller!
Frequently asked questions
Who can join Water Patrol?
Anyone in Leeds, London or Nottingham who is able to test their local waterway!
The person signing up must be 18 years or over, but the tests can be done as a family or in supervision of younger Water Patrollers.
What does testing my local waterway involve?
You’ll receive a kit containing a water thermometer, beaker, and 6 test strips for pH, phosphates and nitrates.
Make sure to download the Planet Patrol app and create an account to record your results! It’s free, quick and easy.
You’ll be asked to commit to testing at least six times, at fortnightly intervals. This ensures the data you gather is useful for our environmental analysts and can be used in our reports.
When will I need to do the water testing?
Once your kit arrives, please do your first water test as soon as you can! After that, you’ll test every two weeks, for a total of six tests. So your Water Patrol journey will last for ten weeks.
If you can’t do your tests exactly two weeks apart each time (if you’re on holiday, for example), that’s ok but we ask for you to do it as close as you can to once a fortnight so we can use the data.
How long does it take to do a test?
Your first series of tests will probably take 10-15 minutes as you’ll be reading the instructions at the same time and getting familiar with it.
Once you’ve completed one and know how it works, the next ones should only take around 5 minutes.
Which waterway should I test?
Whichever is most convenient for you to visit six times to complete your series!
It can be a river, canal, stream, lake or other freshwater body.
When you upload your results on the Planet Patrol app, you’ll select the location on a map so we know which waterway you’re testing – that’s really important for accurate data.