The Great British Water Project

UK-wide study of tap water, rain water and pond life conducted by 650 primary schools

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Published: August 11, 2021
This Article was written by: Katie Hill - My Green Pod
education, kids, water

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650 British primary schools across England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland have been taking part in a classroom-based study of tap water, rain water and pond life.

The results of the month-long series of ‘water experiments’ will be announced at 10:00 today (11 August 2021) from Darwin’s HMS Beagle inspired Pelican of London, moored near Tower Bridge.

The Great British Water Project from the Don Hanson Charitable Foundation has been a nationwide, interactive experiment to study the quality of tap water as well as freshwater habitats.

‘Freshwater is one of our most important resources. In 2021, The Great British Water Project resource box has enabled schools across the UK to better understand our freshwater ecosystems, the chemistry of tap and rainwater and how to minimise plastic pollution in our waterways.’

STEWART MCPHERSON
The Great British Water Project leader

What’s in our water

For the last month, 650 primary schools have participated in this pivotal project to examine pollutants and nasties in our water, including a blind taste test comparing plastic bottled mineral water with tap water and filtered water.

Since the onset of the pandemic, Britons have become increasingly eager to ‘wash away’ toxins and impurities in the water supply, and have been thinking more about what is in our tap water or bottled mineral water.

The Pelican of London ship has been ‘on tour’, travelling from Scotland to London with young sailors and conservationists, plus scientists from the University of Plymouth.

Geographer and The Great British Water Project leader Stewart McPherson along with Charles Darwin’s great-granddaughter Sarah Darwin, will be announcing the results from the students.