Each season is proceeded by the necessary work parties which are well supported and are a necessary constituent of a successful Club as the Rivers need to be kept accessible. We are unfortunately never far from pollution as the Bollin is clearly in a very poor state. The Club joined the Water Quality Monitoring Network which has been set up by the Angling Trust nationally with the assistance of our Chairman in his capacity as Conservation Officer of the Grayling Society. The waters of the Bollin have been tested fortnightly and the results prove the Phosphate and Nitrate levels are well above an acceptable level. Electro conductivity tests also reveal the very high presence of these and other pollutants including Ammonia. The Club has recruited the assistance of Local M.P. David Rutley and attended two guided visits to the Prestbury Sewage Treatment plant which further revealed the extent of the problem. United Utilities however are investing, during 2023 and 2024, in a new Treatment Plant at a cost of £50 million which will significantly improve the situation. Our Chairman attended a meeting with UU Chief Executive officer Louise Beardmore to ensure that all reasonable efforts to clean up the River Bollin would be made and received appropriate assurances from her and the Technical Director Mark Garth. There is however clearly a long way to go before the River will reach an acceptable ecological standard. The Club is committed to continue with the progress made and we are regularly arranging improvement works to the River itself in anticipation of improved water quality. This work will include the control of invasive species, Bank protection planting, clearing access and litter collection. The River Dean has not been without pollution problems, however a reasonable number of trout have been caught and the Dean for now has become the centre of members angling endeavours.
