River Pollution Voices - RAAG COP 26 Conference

The River Almond Action Group (RAAG) is a grassroots community environmental group run by volunteers who are striving towards a cleaner, healthier and truly swimmable River Almond in Scotland, UK.

We invite you to attend our River Pollution Voices conference. We'll be showcasing different river voices from England and the US. The talk will focus on the importance of voluntary grassroots movements and the actions which have been taken in different areas to improve the water quality of watercourses.

Speakers include:

• The River Almond Action Group (RAAG)
• Karen Shackleton - Ilkley Clean River Group
• Mark Barrows - Beneath British Waters
• Catherine Gemmell - Marine Conservation Society UK
• Ruth Seeley - Philadelphia - Friends of Vernon Park, Germantown, Philadelphia
• Shino Tanikawa - Executive Director of NYC Soil and Water Conservation District/ Stormwater Infrastructure Matters

RAAG Background:

RAAG is working constructively with all stakeholders including Veolia, Scottish Water, West Lothian Council, Friends of Almondell and Calderwood Country Park and our local MSP Angela Constance and MP Hannah Bardell to address the community’s longstanding concerns in relation to river pollution.

RAAG has been working with partners to undertake water quality testing and supported Forth Rivers Trust’s Bathing Waters application for a section of the Almond. This is as people, alongside dogs, swim and paddle in the River Almond despite the likely water quality issues arising from upstream sewage treatment works and diffuse pollution from agricultural land and other sources. Bathing Waters status would ensure a high standard of water quality control and monitoring for the river. This would improve transparency.

We look forward to seeing you there!