Putting people at the heart of river recovery

Our rivers need our collective action, backed by evidence. CaSTCo (Catchment Systems Thinking Cooperative) is building a shared understanding of monitoring data so that citizen scientists can work alongside professionals to restore rivers together.

CaSTCo brings together the expertise and backing from more than 30 organisations nationwide, including community and local partnerships, water companies, environmental charities, regulators, technical experts, academics, and the private sector. Together, we’re demonstrating how citizen science and community monitoring methods can be used alongside professional monitoring to generate and share accessible data of known quality so that the information produced leads to better and more impactful decisions. Learn about CaSTCo

Monitoring methods

We need monitoring tools that are capable of answering our questions. CaSTCo reviews monitoring methods through an audit process that identifies the methods’ strengths and appropriate use. It also provides guidance and investment to strengthen method protocols, training, and data management. This process improves data quality and interoperability so that data of known quality gets into the hands of decision-makers.

Monitoring tiers: 
Tier 3: High precision;
Tier 2: Targeted advanced monitoring;
Tier 1: High-density, indicative methods; 
Tier 0: Mass participation, observational.
Arrow up: Increasing costs, time, rigour, and quality assurance;
Arrow down: Increasing participation and spatial/temporal coverage.

Two people conducting a fish survey. One is recording information, the other is measuring a fish.

Data

We need information about catchments that is robust, transparent and trusted. CaSTCo is working with partners to identify common approaches to ensure data can be used for decision-making. Importantly, we recognise that data needs to be more easily findable, accessible, interoperable and reusable. Our principles for data governance support best practices and are the foundation for future data system development.

Weight of evidence’

We need tools that allow us to use information from different sources. The ability to combine information that has been collected for different purposes using a variety of tools is central to the CaSTCo approach. Communities’ passion for river protection, as well as their local knowledge and expertise, are highly valuable in complementing regulatory, research, and other remediation monitoring efforts. Sharing best practices, robust protocols, and data standards means that the data communities collect can be more easily combined and utilised as a part of a ‘weight of evidence’ approach to diagnosing issues, helping us identify solutions and work together to make a bigger impact on river health.

Flower-shaped diagram. In the centre: IMPACT: cleaner, healthier rivers. The four petals: 1) Engagement: Education and raising awareness; 2) Surveillance: Ecosystem health screening; 3) Investigation: helping target further actions; 4) Evaluation: assessing the impacts of actions.

Citizen scientist smiling and holding up comparator charts for nutrients from Freshwaterwatch.

CaSTCo in practice

Our knowledge base shares best practices for individual methods, but the real magic happens when best practices are integrated, enlivened by the community, and co-managed by expert partners!

View stories that exemplify CaSTCo principles: they’re collaborative, impactful, open, rigorous, and future-minded. More case studies from River Usk, Mersey Catchment, Arun & Rother, Beane Catchment, WestCountry CSI, and more are coming soon.

Many organisations and collaboratives outside of the demonstrator catchments of this project also represent CaSTCo principles, and it’s important that they, too, are represented. Those organisations can now request to join.

People-powered

Citizen scientists are an important part of the ecosystem of monitoring and helping collect evidence to complement other types of monitoring. The strength is in numbers and their ability to be the eyes on the ground, noticing when things change.

Since 2022, our partner organisations (and those abiding by CaSTCo’s principles) have shown the power of citizen science in taking care of rivers.

This only represents a fraction of the hours and locations we know are out there! If your organisation would like to be included on our map and in our stats, please fill out this form.

Where is CaSTCo?

Our demonstrator catchments are located around the country and have been helping innovate new approaches, test new methods, and showcase the power of collaboration! We are preparing many more case studies and looking to make this map representative of the incredible efforts.

We recognise that many more organisations and groups abide by CaSTCo principles and will be adding them regularly. If you believe your organisation should be here, request to be added.

Man holding up a tube of a sample while wearing gloves.

Project leads

This project was created through the OFWAT Water Breakthrough Challenge and led by United Utilities and The Rivers Trust.

Water Breakthrough Challenge logo
United Utilities logo
Rivers Trust logo

Contributing organisations

Affinity Water logo
Anglian Water: love every drop logo
Cardiff University: Water Research Institute/ Sefydillad Ymchwill Dwr logo
Cartographer logo
Cyfoeth Naturiol Cymru / Natural Resoures Wales logo
Environment Agency logo
Freshwater Biological Association
FreshWaterWatch logo
Herts & Middlesex Wildlife Trust
Mersey Rivers Trust logo
Modular River Survey logo
Norfolk Rivers Trust logo
Ribble Rivers Trust logo
River Lark Catchment Partnership
Severn Rivers Trust
Severn Trent: Wonderful on Tap logo
South East Water logo
South West Water logo
Southern Water Logo
Thames Water logo
Thames21 logo
the River Restoration Centre: Working to restore and enhance our rivers logo
the Riverfly Partnership logo
UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology logo
University of Exeter logo
Water Rangers logo
Westcountry Rivers Trust logo
Western Sussex Rivers Trust
The Wye and Usk Foundation
Zoological Society of London