Project Dates: 1.10.25 to 1.4.26

Engaging with the community to raise awareness about the sources of river pollution and promoting the tangible, impactful steps that householders, landowners, farmers and local businesses can take to reduce pollution; alongside lobbying South West Water to upgrade critical  infrastructure.

Objectives:

‘To leave the River Dart in a better place for future generations’, with a primary focus on improving river water quality. Aiming to achieve this by delivering a programme that will engage and empower communities and businesses along the Dart’s 47-mile length and within its entire catchment area.

 

Methodology:

The project proposes two main streams of activity, each delivered in two phases:

• Community River Ambassadors: This involves enlisting, engaging, and training valued members of the public committed to improving water quality. Community Ambassadors will be recruited from Dartmouth up to the sources on Dartmoor. They will receive training in both reactive measures (observing, recording, and reporting adverse events) and proactive measures (reducing polluting water flow, identifying/rectifying leaks, using porous surfaces, avoiding disposal of non-biodegradables in drains/WCs). Training will also cover river ecology and the River Fly Project for assessing river health.
• Business River Ambassadors: This stream seeks to engage a broad range of local organisations and businesses within the catchment or interacting with the river to share information, fundraise, and inspire best practice among their staff and customers. Target businesses include those involved in river leisure (sailing, kayaking, ferry operators), marine engineering, fishing, hospitality (hotels, cafes), retail, and the Dart Harbour Authority. Business engagement includes promoting sustainable practices, sharing ways to reduce pollutants, and supporting initiatives like exploring alternative antifoul paint. Rejuvenating the shell fishing industry is noted as a longer-term example.

 

Image credits: Friends of the Dart

IMPACT SUMMARY JANUARY 2026: 

Project Activities:

• Recruitment of volunteer Community River Ambassadors – via stalls at regattas, talks/networking with parish councils and organisations, newsletter/social media engagement.
• Development of pilot training materials and packs on pollution sources plus identifying and reporting pollution.
• Delivery of Pilot training: 12 residents from 7 parishes received training and packs on identifying pollution, sources and pathways plus reporting. Trainees highlighted the friendly, open atmosphere, session design (breakouts, discussion, Q&A, presentations) and quality of delivery, including the Water Technician’s input, as excellent.
• Trained volunteers represent the parishes of Dartmouth, Dittisham, Stoke Gabriel, Harberton, Totnes, Dartington and Staverton – approximately one third of the Dart’s main channel by length, including much of the tidal and mid-catchment reaches where human pressure and pollution risks are highest.
• Business Ambassador Sandridge Barton Wines provided a high-quality venue for the training – supporting learning and exchange.
• Training feedback collected through quantitative and qualitative methods informed refinement for scaling.
• The Business Ambassador pilot led to financial/in-kind support from 7 local businesses, plus other supporters. Eastgate Bookshop, Sandridge Barton Wines, Riverford Organic Farmers. The Riverford partnership in particular led to a huge jump in local engagement with FOD’s work via customers.

 

Project Outcomes: 

Key Project Outcomes: 

• Number of local people trained in recognising and reporting pollution: 12 Ambassadors recruited and trained
• Number Business River Ambassadors recruited and active: 7 businesses recruited and active in
  supporting FOD

 

Other Outcome Indicators:

• Percentage of the Dart monitored by Community River Ambassadors: 25% Dec 25 – 50% Jun 26
• Number of pollution incidents reported to FOD/EA: 6 incidents
• Number of anti-pollution measures adopted at household level: Phase 2
• Increased knowledge and confidence in pollution identification and reporting (Ambassadors): 100% more knowledge, 83% confident to identify, 100% confident to report