Carillion volunteers support Freshwater Habitats Trust in Clean Water Survey

A group of Carillion volunteers helped members from Freshwater Habitats Trust with water pollution testing, as part of the Clean Water for Wildlife Survey, on Thames Water’s Farmoor Reservoir site.

Volunteers collected water chemistry  data needed to help Freshwater Habitats Trust plan the management of nature reserves at Pinkhill Meadow, part of Thames Water’s Farmoor Reservoir, based in Oxfordshire.

Pinkhill Meadow is a pond demonstration site created 20 years ago and designed by Freshwater Habitats Trust. The site remains exceptionally rich for freshwater wildlife with several of the UK’s most bio-diverse ponds.  Regular checks of pollution levels are key to assure us that the ponds in the site are still in good condition.

David Picton, Carillion Chief Sustainability Officer, said: “We are delighted for our teams to be volunteering with the Freshwater Habitats Trust and supporting the Farmoor Reservoir.

“The work they are doing is making a genuinely practical contribution through collecting water chemistry data, which is just the kind of skills-based volunteering we’re focusing on to make a real difference.  As one of the Trusts’ main corporate partners, we wanted to contribute to vital freshwater projects that benefit both biodiversity and local neighbourhoods, all of which closely fits with our positive outcomes in ‘Protecting the Environment’ and ‘Supporting Sustainable Communities’.”

Freshwater Habitats Trust is the only national charity specialising in the protection of wildlife in all types of freshwater:  ponds, rivers, streams and lakes. It carries out ecological research, as well as practical projects on the ground, such as wetland habitat creation and restoration.

Carillion became a supporter of Freshwater Habitats Trust in 2014 to help assist the charity’s vital freshwater projects across the country, benefiting these important habitats.

Carillion’s volunteering and community engagement policy is a concrete example of the company’s efforts to tackle social and environmental issues.

Dr Jeremy Biggs, director of Freshwater Habitats Trust said: “With the help of Carillion volunteers, Freshwater Habitats Trust was able to survey water quality in 30 ponds at Pinkhill Meadow nature reserve in Oxfordshire, something that would not have been possible without their help. We are very grateful to Carillion for supporting our efforts to protect freshwater wildlife. Our first joint project has been very successful and we look forward to developing our relationship with the company in the future.”

Freshwater Habitats Trust works with a number of local, national and international companies who support our commitment to environmental protection. To find out more about our work with companies, please take a look at our Corporate Support page or contact us on 01865 595 505 or info@freshwaterhabitats.org.uk.

Find out more about the Clean Water Survey