Save Water to Save the Trym!

What and Why?

The river Trym has 12 sewage overflows that discharge into the river whenever the system is over-loaded. This happens for almost a thousand hours per year and it's affecting the ecology of the river. Nitrate and phosphate levels are high, and we have a low number of plants, fish and invertebrate river creatures.

The Solution

The solution is to hold back rainwater whenever there is a heavy downpour and stop it entering the sewerage system, and then the river. Water-butts are one way to do this - with the additional benefits of storing clean water for the garden and lowering water bills. A water-butt project in the Isle of Wight has been successful in reducing sewage dicharges by 75%.

Our Pilot Project

By talking to local people we know the main obstacles to installation of butts are lack of time, difficulty finding an experienced installer, confusion over which attachments to buy - and the cost! 

Sea Mills and Coombe Dingle Climate Action is planning a short pilot, offering free installation and financial support with the cost of purchasing water butts. Once we've proved that the scheme works, we'll apply for grants so that installations - and other water conservation measures - can be offered throughout the catchment area, from Brentry to Sea Mills.

Who We Are

We are a small, committed team of environmentalists with professional backgrounds, highly experienced in project management. Nikki Jones, Chair of the 'Save Water to Save the Trym!' project is the founder of local reforesting charity, Avon Needs Trees and has several decades of experience working in the charitable sector. Dan Brunton is a solicitor who previously worked at Google. He is currently studying for a Masters in Conservation at UWE. Peter Coleman Smith has degrees in botany and environmental management  and has a particular interest in water quality issues. He is a trustee of the Bristol Avon Rivers Trust and an active member of Trout in the Trym.