Water Quality Monitoring Network

Severn Pilot Interim Report

Severn at Shrewsbury Weir

Shrewsbury Weir is to the east of the town centre (Location 52.712795, -2.739384)

7 samples were recorded between the 5th March 2023 and 28th May 2023.

Nitrate trigger level exceeded on 4 occasions.

“Water quality at my site is poor. The major issues are untreated sewage from storm drains and run-off from agricultural land. Foam lines or foam ‘icebergs’ an almost constant sight on river surface, more pronounced immediately below the weir but apparent on the majority of sites around Shrewsbury. I have noticed that we no longer have beds of Ranunculus that were once abundant, beds of streamer weed are diminished as are other varieties. Stone and gravel beds have a covering of slimy, brown ‘algae’. Algal growth in marginal water more pronounced or excessive. Fish species are in reduced numbers or missing entirely. Swan mussels or freshwater mussels have disappeared in the last 10 years.”