Our aims
Wild About The Erme River (WATER) is a catchment-focused environmental charity working to restore the Erme River, its tributaries and habitat to their naturally healthy state.
Our aim is to safeguard people and wildlife from the harmful effects of pollution and to protect and improve the water quality and biodiversity of the Erme’s entire catchment area, its estuary and beaches.
Why the Erme needs our help
Like most rivers in England, the Erme has a combination of water quality, habitat and biodiversity issues. Pollution has reached a level where, in it’s first season after being designated as ‘Bathing Water’, the water quality at Coastguards Beach, at the mouth of the estuary, was classified as ‘Poor’ by the environment Agency in November 2024.
This not only has a potential impact on the health of people using the river recreationally but also impacts on the aquatic and terrestrial wildlife in and along the river. Indicator species such as migratory Salmon and Sea Trout are declining in numbers throughout the South West as riverbed spawning grounds, and access to them, diminish.
Our strategy
- Carefully planned positive actions
- Ensure water quality is monitored
- Encourage and motivate farmers
- Hold responsible organisations to account
Our strategy is to take planned positive and co-ordinated actions to protect the river from the harmful effects of pollution from a variety of sources, ensure water quality is properly monitored by the Environment Agency and motivate farmers and landowners to put measures in place to reduce further impacts and restore the river’s water quality, habitat and biodiversity.
We lobby and hold to account South West Water, to ensure they meet their stated commitments to improving treatment processes and reducing sewage spills from Waste Water Treatment Works on the Erme and its tributaries.
Who we work with
WATER works in partnership with multiple organisations including the Environment Agency, South Devon National Landscape, Westcountry Rivers Trust, the Rivers Restoration Centre, Surfers Against Sewage, Devon Wildlife Trust, Dartmoor National Park, Catchment Sensitive Farming, Farming in Protected Landscapes, River groups like Yealm Estuary to Moor, Friends of the Dart plus local environmental groups, our local MPs, County, District, Town and Parish Councils.
Latest News
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Operation Otter is now under way with a team of trained spotters
August 11, 2026On a fine evening in late May, some sixteen volunteers gathered for an otter survey training event. This would mark the launch of WATER’s community-led otter monitoring programme across the River Erme and its tributaries. The event was split into two parts: an indoor briefing session followed by a practical riverside survey within the Erme… -
WATER plants the seeds of meadow making with landowners
August 11, 2026Living in a beautiful rural landscape like the Erme catchment, you could be forgiven for thinking we are well provided for when it comes to meadows. But sadly much of that grassland landscape is a monoculture with scant biodiversity and a pretty depleted habitat for pollinators, insects, small mammals and birds that once thrived in… -
Signs of progress on our battle with the Balsam
August 11, 2026Himalayan Balsam is a very determined adversary when it comes to invasive non-native species that colonise the Erme’s riverbanks. But maybe it’s beginning to meet its match. Thanks to an excellent turnout of over 20 volunteers for a couple of Balsam culling sessions south of Sequers Bridge, and multiple sessions on the north side by… -
Our collaboration with farmers and landowners is growing
August 11, 2026Our Erme to Yealm Farmer Cluster got together this summer for a social barbecue at Mothecombe Stables. Some 32 farmers from across the catchment attended. It was a welcome opportunity to catch up, share experiences and look ahead to an exciting year now that funding has been secured for the cluster to continue. The evening… -
Restoring the River Erme
June 23, 2026Come along to our Annual Public Meeting on 15th July and hear about the latest work from WATER. -
A heartfelt message of congratulation and thanks to Sir David Attenborough on his 100th birthday
May 8, 2026From continents and oceans to ‘our gardens’ David Attenborough has changed our view of the planet and every living thing that shares it with us.
Keep up to date
Keep up to date with all the latest news from WATER by joining our mailing list.
How you can help
There are many ways you can help us protect and restore water quality and habitat in the beautiful river Erme. To find out how, just click SUPPORT US