A new route launched as part of an award-winning Water Rangers initiative reflects Northumbrian Water’s commitment to protect the environment.
‘Beckfields, Ingleby Barwick’ is the latest route added which takes the total number of Water Ranger routes to 56 across the North East. The new route is on Basselton Beck and is approximately 1.4km long.
Volunteer Water Ranger, Tim Renshaw, said: "The expanding Water Rangers scheme offers the opportunity for keen walkers and nature lovers to assist Northumbrian Water to champion the environment, protecting the local waterways for wildlife and for everyone’s benefit. This new route is an extremely pleasant walk through woodland where deer roam."
Volunteer Water Rangers patrol these watercourses every week or fortnight which are prone to pollution and report on their findings after their patrols so that any potential pollution can be dealt with quickly.
Northumbrian Water’s Wastewater Director, Richard Warneford, said: "The Water Rangers initiative has been hugely successful and reflects our commitment to looking after the environment.
On a number of occasions, the initiative has helped us spot and deal with potential threats to the environment at the earliest possible opportunity. We are incredibly proud of the initiative and everyone apart of it."
Water Rangers also report on issues that are not the responsibility of Northumbrian Water such fly tipping, fallen trees, abandoned shopping trolleys and missing life buoys so that this information can be passed on to relevant authorities.
Tees Rivers Trust manager, Ben Lamb, said: "We are working alongside many partners through the Tees Catchment Partnership to improve water quality, understanding, enjoyment of the River Tees and its tributaries."
"The Water Rangers scheme is a great opportunity for volunteers to get involved with and learn more about watercourses. Eyes, feet and noses on the riverbank can gather multiple observations and data in one visit which can help, inform, direct our and other partners work. For example, spotting and logging invasive species and fly tipping as well as the good things such a catching a glimpse of an otter."
"We work closely with Northumbrian Water and are really pleased to see the new Water Ranger’s route on Bassleton Beck taking off. This is a small beck with much potential and the first hurdle in getting action on the ground has now been cleared and has opened the way to building and implementing improvements which will benefit the beck and its surrounding community."
For more information about the Water Rangers scheme > https://www.nwl.co.uk/your-home/environment/water-rangers.aspx or alternatively e-mail waterrangers@nwl.co.uk or call 0191 301 6308.
Everyone can do their bit to keep watercourses and bathing waters in our region healthy and clean by only flushing toilet paper, pee and poo down the loo and by making sure that the drains that serve homes and businesses are connected to the correct sewer.