A Wiltshire councillor is calling for volunteers to help monitor water quality in the south of the county.

Cllr Richard Budden has joined the Nadder Valley Farmer Group to encourage volunteers to help with a project for cleaner rivers.

He has said that the water quality is of “critical importance to wildlife”.

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Cllr Richard Budden at a recent cabinet meeting.Cllr Richard Budden at a recent cabinet meeting. (Image: Wiltshire Council) The project is being carried out by the Nadder Valley Farmers Group, with help and advice from the Wessex Rivers Trust and Catchment Sensitive Farming, and with financial support from Cranborne Chase National Landscape.

Cleaner water would improve aquatic wildlife and be a significant benefit to the unique salmon for which the Nadder is a key breeding site.

Weekly tests are being carried out at 14 locations along the River Nadder, the River Sem and their tributaries, from Semley and the Donheads down to Fovant.

Test samples are examined in a nearby laboratory for phosphate and nitrate levels which can be used to pinpoint hotspots for action.

Results of the tests on water samples are compared with results from nearby fields and from sediment traps suspended in the river.

Cllr Budden said: “I am delighted to support the work of the Nadder Valley Farmers Group and Wessex Rivers Trust in carrying out this project.

“The quality of water in the River Nadder and its tributaries is of critical importance to wildlife.

“And it is clear that there is widespread concern at pollution from whatever source.

“I applaud the Nadder Valley Farmers Group for taking this initiative and I encourage anyone with the time and inclination to come forward and volunteer to help.”

According to Cllr Budden, those with an interest should email tracy9adams@outlook.com with the words Nadder water testing in the subject line.

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Volunteers will be asked to carry out sampling at one or more of the 11 locations around the Donheads, Semley and Swallowcliffe, every two to four weeks.

They will be provided with an automated test kit and with guidance on how to take samples, how to assess them and how to report the results.

The project should give local farmers a detailed picture of the state of the river and of any pollution, so they can address any issues at source.

Chair of the Nadder Valley Farmers Group Peter Shallcross said: “As a group of farmers, we are keen to demonstrate farming and a vibrant healthy river ecology can co-exist successfully, and I’m confident this project will help us do this.”

Wiltshire Council recently approved a motion that called for the local authority to instruct water companies operating in Wiltshire to make the “required investment” to protect the rivers as a priority.

Cllr Budden supported the motion but was vocal about his concern over the county’s reporting of its scope three emissions.