Brownies become official water quality testers on the River Kennet

Brownies from Marlborough will be monitoring water quality along a stretch of the River Kennet, on behalf of conservation group ARK.

Action for the River Kennet are working with 1st Marlborough Brownies to monitor the quality of the River Kennet at Stonebridge wild river reserve, using testing kits bought by the charitable fund of opticians Haine & Smith. ARK’s project officer Anna Forbes went along to meet the Brownies and present them with water quality testing kits, accompanied by Haine & Smith charitable trust clerk Janet Hartwell and Marlborough branch member of staff Rachel Mabutt.

The testing will give ARK valuable data on the quarterly nitrate and phosphate levels and turbidity at this designated Wildlife Site.

Meanwhile, the Brownies will gain experience towards the world and community parts of their programme. “We hope the Brownies have a great time using the kits and enjoy finding out more about their local river with ARK,” said Janet.

ARK have trained volunteer water quality testers at many sites along the Kennet.

“It will be really good to have the Brownies as our testers at Stonebridge Wild River Reserve,” said Anna.

“We are also looking forward to hosting a Tour & Explore for the Brownies later in the year at the reserve, to give them a hands on fun and educational session, where they’ll get to discover some of the site’s special wildlife, including those dependant on good water quality.”