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Rivers to Reef
Connecting freshwater and marine environments across Yorkshire
Water has no boundaries, so why should we? Everything that happens on land ends up in the water. In Yorkshire, pollution - from litter, plastics, and farm runoff - flows through our rivers into the North Sea, threatening freshwater and marine life alike. Rivers to Reef brings people together to stop pollution at its source. Through citizen science, community clean-ups, and powerful public campaigns, we’re creating a Yorkshire-wide movement for clean, healthy waters. What we do inland matters, because protecting our rivers means protecting our seas.
How our rivers shape the health of our seas
What happens inland doesn’t stop at the riverbank. Every wipe flushed, pan rinsed, fleece washed or pet treated can begin a journey through Yorkshire’s rivers and streams, carrying pollution all the way to our estuaries and seas. Wet wipes, fats, oils and greases, plastic fibres from clothing, toxic flea treatments, litter and even wrongly connected pipes all contribute to sewage spills, chemical contamination and plastic pollution.
These pollutants strip oxygen from the water, smother habitats and build up in food chains, harming insects, fish, birds and mammals along the way. Species that move between rivers and the sea, such as salmon, eels and seabirds, are especially at risk because the pollution follows them throughout their lives.
The good news is that by understanding how closely rivers and seas are linked, we can all take simple actions that protect nature from source to sea.
Earthwatch Europe
Sign up for the Great UK WaterBlitz
We are looking for volunteers who can carry out water quality testing along the River Aire or the River Derwent.
Water sustains all life on our planet, yet despite our reliance on fresh, clean water, the UK’s freshwater ecosystems are failing. Due to gaps in monitoring and missing data, the true scale of this crisis is unclear. This is where citizen science plays a vital role.
Rivers to Reef is supporting the Great UK WaterBlitz, a biannual (April and September) campaign that invites everyone to help test the quality of local rivers, streams and lakes. By signing up as an individual or community group using the form below, you will receive a free water quality testing kit and contribute valuable data that helps build a clearer picture of freshwater health across Yorkshire and the UK.
If you're interested in getting more involved through regular water quality monitoring or litter surveys, we'd love to hear from you.
To find out how you can take part and help make a difference, please get in touch with the team by emailing livingseas@ywt.org.uk
How can you help?
What happens on land flows straight into our rivers and seas, shaping the health of wildlife and habitats from source to sea. Everything we do - from what we put down sinks and toilets, to how we wash clothes or enjoy time by the water - has an impact on Yorkshire’s rivers, harbours and coastline.
You can make a real difference by getting involved in activities like the Great UK WaterBlitz and Waves of Waste beach cleans, and by taking simple steps at home: bin fats and wet wipes, reduce microfibre pollution, choose water-safe pet treatments, check your plumbing, cut down on hard plastics, and care for the places you visit.
Small, everyday actions add up to cleaner waters for both people and wildlife. Follow the guidance below and share it with others to help protect Yorkshire’s rivers and seas.
Fats, oils & greases (FOGs)
Yorkshire Wildlife Trust
Pouring fats, oils or grease down the sink can create blockages, “fatbergs,” and pollution that harms wildlife and damages habitats. But it’s easy to prevent
Take action:
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Cool it, scrape it, bin it – never pour fats down the sink.
- Wipe pans before washing and use sink strainers.
- Collect and recycle used oil where facilities exist (for biodiesel).
- Spread the word, especially during busy times like Christmas.
Check our infographic for more tips on keeping FOGs out of rivers and seas.
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Hard plastics
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Single-use plastics are a major source of pollution in rivers and seas, but we can all reduce their impact.
Take action:
- Carry reusable bottles, cups, and bags to cut waste.
- Join local litter picks, Rivers to Reef surveys, and beach cleans.
- Secure bins, recycle correctly, and report fly-tipping.
- Support local refill and reuse schemes.
- Spread the message: every item binned, recycled, or picked up helps wildlife and habitats.
Wet wipes & unflushables
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Only pee, poo and paper should ever go down the toilet – everything else belongs in the bin. Wet wipes, even those labelled “flushable,” can block pipes and pollute rivers and seas.
Take action:
- Bin the wipe – always.
- Switch to reusable or safer alternatives like cloths and cotton pads.
- Avoid pouring grease down sinks, which combines with wipes to form fatbergs.
- Challenge false labels and share the message – small actions at home protect wildlife from rivers to reefs.
Misconnections & surface water
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Improperly connected pipes and polluted run-off send untreated wastewater and chemicals straight into rivers. Most misconnections are accidental, but the consequences are serious.
Take action:
- Check your home’s plumbing at ConnectRight.org.uk or contact Yorkshire Water.
- Fix misconnections with a qualified plumber.
- Never pour paint, oils, cleaning fluids, or chemicals down drains.
- Reduce run-off using water butts, rain gardens, or permeable paving.
- Report pollution – coloured water, suds, or foul smells in streams should be reported to the Environment Agency.
- Share advice with your community to prevent untreated wastewater reaching rivers.
Microfibres
Yorkshire Wildlife Trust
Tiny fibres from synthetic clothing escape every wash and can end up in rivers and the marine food chain. But you can reduce the impact with a few simple steps.
Take action:
- Wash smart: cooler temperatures, full loads, and liquid detergent.
- Trap fibres: use washing machine filters, laundry bags, or balls.
- Dispose responsibly: clean lint filters dry, never rinse fibres down sinks.
- Choose natural fabrics and invest in longer-lasting clothes.
- Support campaigns tackling plastic pollution and check our infographic for the worst offenders.
Sign up Great UK WaterBlitz
Earthwatch Europe
We’re looking for volunteers to help test water quality along the River Aire and River Derwent, and you don’t need to be a scientist to take part.
Rivers to Reef is supporting the Great UK WaterBlitz, a biannual campaign in April and September that empowers people to test their local rivers, streams and lakes. Sign up as an individual or community group using the form below to receive a free water quality testing kit and help build a clearer, stronger picture of freshwater health across Yorkshire and the UK.
How can pet owners help?
For many of us, fleas on our dogs are an absolute pain, and flea treatment seems like a quick and easy solution to a potentially costly problem. Flea treatment chemicals however are insecticides that remain on dogs’ fur and skin - one monthly flea treatment for a large dog contains enough imidacloprid to kill 25 million bees. Insecticides don’t differentiate what insects they kill, so when dogs jump into rivers, streams or ponds on reserves, the chemicals from their flea treatment can kill insects in the water which our wildlife rely on to survive, and introduce more chemicals to our already-polluted waterways.
Take action:
- Use treatments only when needed – avoid automatic monthly dosing.
- Ask your vet for low-impact or oral alternatives.
- Prevent pollution – never wash bedding, pet waste, or packaging down drains.
- Keep treated pets away from rivers for several weeks.
- Spread awareness – most pet owners would change habits if they knew the risks.
How can boat owners help?
Rivers, estuaries and coastal waters across Yorkshire are under pressure from everyday pollution, and boat owners have an important role to play in protecting them. Small discharges from bilge water, refuelling, engine leaks and antifouling paints may seem minor, but even tiny amounts add up; just one litre of oil can pollute a million litres of water, threatening fish, birds, plants, and the wider marine environment.
Yorkshire Wildlife Trust
Simple actions make a big difference.
Take action:
- Use safer antifoulants on boats.
- Store and dispose of fuel and oil responsibly.
- Contain spills promptly and effectively.
- Prevent bilge water and other waste from entering drains or waterways.
- Share best practices with fellow boaters to protect local waters.
Rivers to Reef Projects & Partners
The Rivers to Reef programme brings together a range of connected projects, united by a shared vision to protect and restore our rivers, estuaries and seas. To develop and deliver this work, Yorkshire Wildlife Trust collaborates with a wide network of partners, including the Environment Agency, Yorkshire Water, Aire Rivers Trust, Yorkshire Derwent Catchment Partnership, North York Moors National Park Authority, Groundwork NE & Cumbria, and the Yorkshire Marine Nature Partnership.
Discover the projects that make up the Rivers to Reef programme and how they are working together from source to sea.
Sign up to the Great UK WaterBlitz
Rivers to Reef is supporting the Great UK WaterBlitz, a biannual campaign in April and September that empowers people to test their local rivers, streams and lakes. Sign up as an individual or community group using the form below to receive a free water quality testing kit and help build a clearer, stronger picture of freshwater health across Yorkshire and the UK.