Is my river fit to play in? Check the online map at the Rivers Trust
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Watch BBC Panorama'a 'The River Pollution Scandal'
(In 2020 the water companies pumped raw sewage into English rivers for a total of over 3million hours)

​Read The Guardian's article - Britain oozes sewage

River Char Community Project

Public Consultation and Survey

1. Please watch the AONB film:

2. Please help us gather information on the River Char:

What do you think are the key issues affecting the River Char?
What do you think can we realistically do to help the River?
Are you able to help with the Community Project?

Please complete the Public Survey before 20th April 2021.
Everyone who answers the survey will be entered in a prize draw for a £50 local food hamper from Dorset Food and Drink. 

Complete the Public Survey

Project Background

​For most of their journey to the sea, the River Char and its tributaries flow through the parishes of Wootton and Whitchurch.

So Char Valley Parish Council (which includes these parishes) has commissioned the Dorset AONB and Dorset Wildlife Trust (DWT) teams (using grants plus Parish Council resources) to pay for a snapshot study of the River Char. This will give us all a picture of the health of the river, identify problems and help to draw up an improvement plan.

In Phase 2 of the River Char Community Project, we will work with Dorset AONB to put their improvement plan into action.
On other local river projects (like the River Asker) this has involved residents working with Dorset Wildlife Trust and Dorset AONB to:
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• monitor the river and do water and fi sh surveys
• involve schools in learning about the river
• help control invasive species (like Himalayan Balsam)
• clear some riverside tree cover
• remove barriers that stop fi sh swimming upstream
• help landowners create silt traps and plant hedges to reduce run-off .
Map of the River Char Catchment
The River Char and Monkton Wyld Stream Catchment

Background documents