Flooding and water pollution

Why flooding and water pollution matters

Great Bedwyn has a history of flooding, and our sewage treatment works are regularly overwhelmed. In the last three years sewage has been discharged into the canal and on into the River Dun for over 900 hours - equivalent to over one month of continuous discharge. This impacts on water quality and biodiversity supported by the river. 83% of residents said they were interested in hearing about river pollution and biodiversity in our survey.

Our progress so far

Great Green Bedwyn are working in partnership with the rivers charity Action for the River Kennet (ARK) to prevent flooding and river pollution by creating rain gardens in the village. It is the first project of it's kind in the UK working with individual home owners.

Plans for the future

Our focus this year is on implementing the rain gardens project with ARK and the Bedwyn Flood Group.

Find out more about flooding and river pollution

Action for the River Kennet (ARK)

Great Bedwyn Flood risk map

Thames Water storm overflow monitoring map

Southern Streams (group of local farmers)

Kennet Catchment Partnership

ARK rain gardens presentation

Getting the most from your water butt

Did you know that water butts can help prevent river pollution as well as providing water for your garden? Installing a water butt is the...

Great Bedwyn school children challenge our MP on sewage pollution

Untreated sewage made it unsafe for year 4 children to go into the water as planned on a recent school river trip with the charity ARK,...

Rain Garden at Great Bedwyn School

Great Green Bedwyn are working with rivers charity ARK and Great Bedwyn School to create a new rain garden at the school. The work is...

Getting started with a rain garden

If you missed the rain garden UK training from ARK or need a reminder here are some tips to help you get started with creating a rain...