Conditions improve for river wildlife

Passers-by are unlikely to give the murky depths of Lincoln's Brayford Pool a second glance, but below the swans, boats and algae, conditions could be on the up for wildlife.

That's according to the Environment Agency, which monitors river quality and life in the waterways that pass through Lincoln.

Samples taken last year at Bracebridge bridge, three kilometres upstream of the pool, saw both biology and interim chemistry levels for, drop for the first time since 1997.

The bio results described a habitat that fell "a little short of that expected – with a small reduction in the number of families sensitive to pollution and a moderate increase in those that tolerate pollution".

But already since the start of this year scientists have seen the waterways improve with the area's Lincoln Quality Index (LQI) rating, which measures invertebrate life, rising to an A++.

Simon Nugent, environment management team leader for Lincoln, said the a slight recent increase in water quality could be a sign that long term improvements are starting to take effect.

He said: "Places like Marston sewerage works near Grantham, which is upstream, have had massive investment in water treatment but that can take a long time to be seen.

"If you improved it 10 years ago you might now only begin to see the effects."

But he also warned any future improvements could depend on local people being willing to fund work through their water bills.