Kingston University researchers will monitor pollution, including sewage, chemicals and microplastics to help improve water quality.
Funding will support monitoring along the Thames at Windsor, Kingston, Richmond and beyond Teddington Lock where Thames Water is planning to build its Direct River Abstraction site.
The project aims to make the river safer for people and wildlife, amid growing concerns about pollution.
Lucy Mayer reports on Thames Water’s TDRA plans for Teddington.
Organised by the Thames Landscape Strategy, the visit of the Duke of Gloucester to Canbury Gardens for the official opening of the River Thames Project showcased the work undertaken along the River Thames embankment in partnership with the Royal Borough of Kingston, which aims to enhance and connect the riverside spaces for the benefit of the community and future generations.
The project follows on from last year, when Kingston University academics from the School of Life Sciences, Pharmacy and Chemistry were invited to contribute to a clean-up of the river as part of the Mayors for a Drinkable Thames project.
Since then, £45,000 has been secured by RBK, the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames and Surfers Against Sewage to monitor the Windsor-Kingston-Richmond corridor and £65,000 from the Port of London Authority to monitor from Teddington Lock seawards. This funding covers a three-year PhD studentship, consultancy and monitoring equipment.
