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Rivers in the UK

Our rivers and streams are special places. They not only support our lifestyles, supplying the majority of our fresh water, they also support a thriving biodiversity of plants and wildlife.

But our rivers are in danger. Only 26% of them are healthy enough to support a vibrant ecosystem, and they’re increasingly under pressure from our growing human population, spiralling increases in water use and the effects of climate change.

In the UK, as part of our partnership with HSBC, we're working with government, communities and other partners to ensure UK rivers and their water supplies can cope. 

Here are our main UK-based water projects right now...

River Itchen

Rivers on the Edge

Rivers on the Edge focuses on the unique chalk streams found only here in England and in some parts of Northern France.

These special rivers are on the edge of survival. They supply millions of people around the country with all their freshwater - for drinking, bathing and even taking away waste. But they're often over-used and under-protected.

Through this project we're influencing the national policies governing the use of water and protection of rivers, so that there’s better river planning and smarter water management.

Northern Ireland rivers project

Other UK water campaigns

We’re also making a difference on the ground by working on local campaigns with partners around the country.

We're working with the Angling Trust on Protect Our Waters, running eight locally focused campaigns to address a range of threats being faced by rivers around the country.

We're making thousands of homes more water-efficient with the Save Water Swindon campaign and Southern Water's metering scheme.

We're giving UK residents the chance to share their thoughts and experiences with us about rivers that are in trouble, and those that are thriving, through the Our Rivers campaigns.


We're also working, alongside the Angling Trust, to make sure the government remains committed to their promise to implement the European Water Framework Directive (WFD), which became part of UK law in 2003.

Find out more about our work on the Water Framework Directive…