South West Water gathers data on recreational use of River Dart to support bathing application

South West Water is gathering data on public perceptions of the River Dart and how it is being used recreationally with a view to supporting an application for bathing water status.

The company is using engagement platform Hello Lamp Post, which works by placing signage with QR codes at selected locations, and asking people to scan the code to share real-time feedback about their experience of the river. South West hopes to gather information about water quality and who is using the river and why, which it said ti would share with the community and Friends of the Dart, to support a future application for inland bathing water designation.

The work is part of a £3.9m pilot project being delivered by South West Water at the rivers Dart and Tavy, to understand what is needed to secure inland bathing water designation. This is part of South West Water’s £92m Green Recovery Initiative.