water
Water survey - join in now
How healthy is your local lake or pond?
By taking part in the OPAL water survey, you’ll help scientists learn more about how polluted our lakes and ponds actually are – something we know surprisingly little about.
Good water quality is essential for the many animals and plants that live in and around our lakes, ponds and rivers. Unfortunately, water is easily affected by pollution from agriculture and industry, waste we throw away, and even pollutants in the air.
Look for clues in the water
Animals living in the water can tell us a great deal about how polluted the water may be. Some species struggle to survive in polluted waters, while others are more tolerant. By telling us what life you see in your local pond you’ll discover more about the water's health and contribute to valuable scientific research.
Please show care and respect to our environment.
Ponds and lakes are home to many important creatures.
Simple tests for water clarity and pH, will provide further clues to the water quality.
How to take part
It's easy to join in. Start by downloading our free survey pack, which includes full instructions and identification guides.
Need more pH strips?
Email your address and the number you require to Laura Hill, opal [at] imperial [dot] ac [dot] uk.
Submit your results
Once you've completed the survey, please take the time to submit your results using our simple online form. Your results are important to us, even if you didn't manage to finish all the activities.
Problems entering your survey results online? Contact us or send your completed workbook and detailed location information to: FREEPOST RSCH-CHYJ-HYYC, OPAL, Centre for Environmental Policy, Imperial College, South Kensington, London SW7 2AZ.
Explore the results so far
Compare health scores, analyse species distribution and view all the pond photos submitted so far.
Visit the OPAL Kids Zone for puzzles, games and amazing facts.OPAL Water research
Learn all about the ongoing research of OPAL Water scientists.
Top ten tips for a healthy pond
Create the perfect pond by following these top tips from the OPAL Water Centre and Buglife.
Share your pond life photos
Upload your pictures of water boatman, beetles and other pond wildlife to the Guardian Flickr gallery.
Looking to further your interest?
Learn more about pond wildlife with Pond Conservation, or explore our useful links and resources.
The OPAL water survey is being led by the OPAL Water team at University College London.
OPAL Water partner organisations
Excited about aquatic life? Join a like-minded group near you
Here are some of the organisations we are working closely with. Why not check a few out, they are always keen to welcome new enthusiasts.
- Pond Conservation
- Buglife
- British Phycological Society
- Riverfly Partnership
- RSPB
- Herpetological Conservation Trust
- Froglife
- Freshwater life
- British Dragonfly Society
- Freshwater Biological Association
South East: Fleet Pond
Fleet Pond Society
East of England: Holt Hall Lake
Holt Hall Field Studies Centre
River Glaven Conservation Group
South-west: Slapton Ley
FSC Slapton Ley
London: Wake Valley Pond
FSC Epping Forest
East Midlands: Thoresby Lake
Perlethorpe Education Centre
North-west: Marton Mere
Marton Mere Local Nature Reserve; Volunteer Rangers and Junior Rangers Club
North-east: Crag Lough
National Trust (Hadrian’s Wall)
West Midlands: Edgbaston Lake
Birmingham Natural History Society
Yorks and Humber: Chapman’s Pond
Friends of Chapman’s Pond
OPAL Water is led by University College London
OPAL Water
Help monitor and protect our lakes and ponds
We want everyone to become interested in the aquatic world, and have the skills to observe changes in water quality through the identification of key plants and animals.
Protecting a nature oasis
Ponds and pools are often the focus of a local community as they are frequently located in shared spaces such as parks and recreation areas. They can be oases of biodiversity in otherwise ecologically poor locations and are important for both human and environmental wellbeing.
However, these freshwater environments are often struggling with problems such as water pollution and nutrient enrichment, and may also be poorly managed.
We are leading two OPAL Water projects to learn more about the lakes and ponds in England and to help in their conservation.
OPAL Water projects
OPAL Water research news and Simon's fieldwork diary
The lakes and ponds we are monitoring
 |
East of England: East Midlands: London: North East: North West: South East: South West: West Midlands: Yorkshire and Humber: |
Holt Hall Lake, Holt Thoresby Lake, near Mansfield Wake Valley Pond, Epping Forest Crag Lough, near Haltwhistle Marton Mere, Blackpool Fleet Pond, Fleet Slapton Ley, Slapton Edgbaston Pool, Birmingham Chapman's Pond, York |
Water survey - join in now!
How healthy is your local pond? The animals living in the water will help you find out.
Join in the OPAL water survey and help scientists learn more about the health of our ponds and lakes.
Take part in the OPAL metals survey
Help OPAL Water scientists research metal contamination in lakes and ponds.
Research results
See all the results so far from our lake monitoring research.
Partner organisations
We work with a number of organisations across the country to help with our research. You can also get involved with their work. They are always keen to welcome new members.
Policy and regulation
If you are interested in learning more about government policy on water quality then please visit:
For Scotland please visit:
For Wales please visit:
For Northern Ireland please visit:
Contact us
opalwatercentre@geog.ucl.ac.uk
OPAL Water is led by University College London
Surveys
Help OPAL scientists with valuable research, learn new skills, have fun
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OPAL is running six surveys across England to learn more about the state of our environment, and we’d like everyone to get involved.
Surveys exploring the health of our soils, the quality of our air and water, the distribution of invertebrates, the importance of hedges, and the ways in which we affect our climate are running now - see below for details.
All ages and abilities can take part and your contribution will be important in helping scientists build up a picture of England's natural environment.
We'll provide easy-to-follow survey instructions and all the support you need.
Bugs Count - join in now
Join in a timed challenge to find as many bugs as you can. Tell us what you find and you'll help scientists learn more about how the built environment affects invertebrates. Don't forget to keep an eye out for one of our six key species.
Climate survey - join in now
Are plane contrails contributing to global warming? How do buildings affect the weather around us? Help us explore ways in which we affect the climate and how climate change could affect us.
Biodiversity survey - join in now
Is your local hedge a haven for beetles, birds, mice and other wildlife? Learn more about a hedge near you and the animals it supports. Discover ways to improve it and compare your results with other hedges around the country.
Water survey - join in now
How healthy is your local pond or lake? The animals that live there can give important clues about the water quality. Record what you discover and contribute to valuable national research.
Air survey - join in now
Discover what lichens can tell us about air pollution. Record tar spot on sycamore leaves to learn about air quality near you.
Soil and earthworm survey - join in now
Discover more about earthworms and the soils they live in. Contribute to important scientific research and help update our national record on earthworm distribution.