Don't Lose the Ouse!
Be part of our charitable movement to protect the River Great Ouse and help restore it to a vibrant, healthy river for everyone to enjoy
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With generous support from local businesses, we’ve equipped ourselves to scientifically monitor pollution in the River Great Ouse. By identifying the sources, we’re empowering the Environment Agency to take action and help protect our river for the future.
Testing, Recording and Reporting
In year three, we’re operating 16 monitored sites along the River Great Ouse (Turvey–Great Barford), targeting key recreation zones and persistent E. coli hotspots.
Recognised by the Environment Agency, we’re on track for full Tier 2 status.
Our Mission
Our mission is to promote, for public benefit, the conservation, protection, and improvement of the physical and natural environment of the River Great Ouse. We achieve this through river monitoring, community engagement, and by advancing public understanding of how river quality impacts biodiversity, the local economy, and community wellbeing.
Key Concerns Nationally
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Experts warn of a national river health crisis, driven by failing oversight and outdated sewage infrastructure.
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The Environment Agency reports a 60% increase in in water pollution incidents (sewage spills) in the UK from 2023 to 2024.
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Just 14% of rivers in England are in good ecological health.
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The National Audit Office estimated that to replace worn-out water pipes will take 700 years at current levels of infrastructure improvements.
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Since 2009, water companies have been allowed to ‘self-monitor’—with damaging consequences for our rivers, drinking water supplies, and wider water infrastructure.
The Scale of the Issue
Diving into the Numbers
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Environment Agency data from 2020 showed that all English rivers failed to meet overall quality tests for pollution. Not a single river achieved good chemical status, and only 14% of rivers in England achieved good ecological status. The River Great Ouse is currently the 4th most polluted river in the UK
Sadly, we are regularly detecting E. coli contamination levels far exceeding DEFRA’s safe bathing limit of 900 Colony Forming Units (CFUs) per 100 millilitres. On some stretches of our river this level is in excess of 20000 CFU’s/ml. Much of this pollution results from the ongoing dumping of raw sewage into the River Great Ouse.
The effects of E coli in humans can be extremely harmful. It can cause fever, intestinal bleeding and seizures it can also lead to acute kidney failure, particularly in children.
And for your pets? It can affect dogs causing septicaemia, and worsen parvovirus infections—greatly increasing the risk of death.
Our River Great Ouse Restoration Project aims to revitalise our polluted river by working closely with the Environment Agency and Bedford Borough Council. Together, we’re identifying the sources—and the culprits—of the pollution and holding them accountable. The River Great Ouse is at serious risk of being permanently condemned. We can’t let that happen to the jewel in Bedford’s crown. We do not want to 'lose our Ouse'.
100% of donations supports the work we do to protect and restore the River Great Ouse, it's wildlife, and natural beauty—for the benefit of people and nature, now and for generations to come.
Join us in preserving the Great Ouse—for a sustainable future.
Together, we can protect its waters, wildlife, and communities.
Current Initiatives & Projects
In 2023, testing began at 8 sites and have since expanded to 16 sites in 2025 with support from sponsors and Bedford Borough Council and a growing number of volunteers.
We are the sole monitor of E.coli levels in the river and regularly report our findings to the Environment Agency and to local users of the river.
Our campaign “Don’t Lose the Ouse” raises awareness through monthly articles in The Bedford Independent.
We provide a range of educational resources for all to find out more about the river and its environment.
Water Testing
We’ve placed high-tech monitors at key points along the river to track pollution in real time.
These submersible sensors deliver critical data—measuring temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen, turbidity, and nutrient levels—to help us understand and protect water quality where it matters most.
Empowering Minds, Inspiring Futures
Our mission is to make learning about our local environment accessible to everyone — with a special focus on protecting the River Great Ouse.
Whether you’re a student, teacher, or curious lifelong learner, there’s something here for you to explore and get involved with.
River Restoration
Restoring the River Great Ouse means bringing life back to the heart of our environment.
Cleaner waters support thriving habitats for fish, birds, and wildlife, while offering safer, healthier spaces for local communities to enjoy. It’s a legacy of care—for nature, for people, and for future generations.
Education
Empowering Minds, Inspiring Futures
Our mission is to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to get involved and learn about our local environment, and in particular to learn about the safekeeping of the Great River Ouse.
Whether you’re a student, educator, or lifelong learner, we’ve got something for you
Children and young people care deeply about the environment in which they live. We support their education about River Great Ouse by providing a range of resources that can be used in the home learning environment or schools.
Community engagement and the advancement of knowledge is a prime concern for BedsGOVET. We are currently working on developing relationships with individuals and organisations to create a broad educational offering
How You Can Help
Join the Team
We need volunteer Citizen Scientists and other Professionals to join our efforts.
Citizen Science means public participation and collaboration in real scientific research All of our testing is undertaken by a UCAS laboratory —helping us monitor, protect, and restore the River Great Ouse.
Volunteer
Our volunteers are trained to collect data from our river monitoring systems and regularly test the quality of the river.
Learning
Our mission is to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to get involved and learn about our local environment, and in particular to learn about the safekeeping of the River Great Ouse.
Whether you’re a student, educator, or lifelong learner, we’ve got something for you.
Latest Posts
October Beds Independent Column
New Partnerships For Ongoing Success The past two months have seen our charity BedsGOVET moving...
Recent government initiatives
What is the Government doing about our water and the sewage spills?
With the summer holidays coming to an end, and a season of drought, the water companies have been under scrutiny for more sewage spills in our seas and rivers.
In July, hundreds of sewage spills were reported across England when heavy rain overwhelmed water companies’ infrastructure – popular seaside resorts were polluted with raw sewage when it was discharged through ‘storm overflows’ from Northumberland to Cornwall. Bathing spots that 1000s of tourists flock to enjoy being by water, be it our lakes, rivers or seas, have seen unprecedented amounts of sewage spills.
Building a Stronger Online Presence: A Message from Our Trustees.
Building a Stronger Online Presence: A Message from Our Trustees. We’re excited to share an...
Latest Test Results September 2025
‘Don’t swim in our beautiful river’ E.coli warning
BBC News article by :Louise Parry, Bedfordshire and John Guinn, Local Democracy reporter
‘Don’t swim in our beautiful river’ E.coli warning
People are being warned to avoid popular swimming spots at a river after high levels of harmful E.coli were detected.
Half the sites tested along the Great Ouse through Bedfordshire were unsafe for bathing, according to new data from the Bedfordshire Great Ouse Valley Environmental Trust, external (BedsGOVET).
Its chairman Alan Horn said: “The upshot is that the river is in a very bad state… nitrate, phosphate and E.coli levels are unacceptable.”
Updates to Riverfield Community
Our recent presentation by Alan Horn, Chair of The Bedfordshire Great Ouse Valley Environmental...
Sponsors and Associate Organisations
Bedford Borough Council
National Highways
Garfield Weston
Earthwatch
Surfers Against Sewage
Wells & Co
UBOCP
In-Situ
20/30 Labs
Join Us in the Journey to Revive and Protect the River Great Ouse for Future Generations.
Additional Resources
Bedford Borough Council
The Environment Agency
Bedford Independent Newspaper
Registered Charity Number: 1198830
Registered on: 5th May 2022
Full Name: Bedfordshire Great Ouse Valley Environmental Trust (BedsGOVET)
Our Charitable Object
As recognised by the Charity Commission for England and Wales, our purpose 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.”
© 2025 Bedfordshire Great Ouse Valley Environmental Trust (BedsGOVET). All rights reserved.