Groundwork East is working in Hertfordshire to increase community awareness about the environmental issues on the River Ver.

Why has the project been commissioned?

The River Ver is an important habitat for wildlife within St Albans but at present the water levels are very low. This is having a major effect on the wildlife. In addition, areas of the river are polluted by run-off from roads, as well as domestic and industrial pollution. Raising awareness about the problems the river is facing is an important step to improving its health in the longer term.

The project is being delivered as part of the Revitalising the River: St Albans project – a partnership between the Environment Agency, St Albans City and District Council and Affinity Water that aims to improve the River Ver and the lakes in Verulamium Park.


What does it involve?

To help boost the health of the river, Groundwork is working with schools and youth groups in St. Albans to train their pupils as Junior River Wardens (JRW). As JRWs, children will learn how to undertake river monitoring, looking for a variety of geographical changes, conducting chemical tests, and spotting wildlife. They will learn how the measurements they take impact the river, what the changes in measurements tells us about the river, and what they can do to help the readings improve. Monitoring is taking place this autumn with repeat visits in spring 2020.

The schools involved are:

  • Maple Primary
  • Fleetville Junior School
  • Aboyne Lodge School
  • St. Peter’s Primary School
  • 4th St. Albans Scout groups

Where are the results being recorded?

The results will be logged on custom Google Map, which can be done as part of an ICT project.


Find out more