The Otter Valley Association has a working group focused on improving the quality of the river Otter.  Our charter for this group is as follows:

Goals & Aspirations: 

1. The goal of the group is to improve the ecological quality of the river Otter. 
2. We want to maximise the biodiversity to be good for nature and people. 

Organisation: 

The Group will comprise members with a broad range of skills and backgrounds. We encourage group members to join the OVA. We will use WhatsApp, email and face:face meetings to communicate and progress activities. Regular updates will be made to the OVA executive committee and partner organisations (as and when relevant). We will provide OVA members and the wider community with regular updates including accurate, current information relating to water quality, pollution and plans to resolve these problems. 

Water testing: 

We will look to build on current water quality testing on the River Otter undertaken by the Environment Agency and Westcountry Rivers Trust Citizen Scientists. Investigate the means of funding the purchase of up-to-date monitoring equipment. Try to establish links with Exeter University Centre for Resilience in Environment, Water and Waste. Liaise with those using new testing equipment on the river Yealm. 

Agricultural runoff: 

We will consider how best to encourage good farm practices by liaising with Clinton Devon Estates, Westcountry Rivers Trust, the Environment Agency, National Farmers Union, Bicton Agricultural College and other relevant organisations. 

South West Water and EA: 

We will challenge and hold SWW to account for pollution in the River Otter catchment and neighbouring coastline that they are directly responsible for. We will monitor the Environment Agency to ensure they are fulfilling their legal responsibilities. Inform and encourage the wider community about how to report pollution incidents to the Environment Agency. 

Partnerships: 

We will identify and engage with any individuals or organisations that are relevant to the goals of this group. For example: Citizen Scientists, Westcountry Rivers Trust, Environment Agency, River Otter Fisheries Association, East Devon Catchment Partnership. We will invite suggestions about how, together, we can work to reduce pollution, protect and improve water quality, ecology and habitats. 

We will also engage with Parish Councils bordering the River Otter, such as the East Devon District, Devon County Council and the Constituency MP’s to inform them of our plans and request their support and suggestions. 

We will also seek to find older residents along the River Otter catchment who can inform the Group and wider community of how they remember the River Otter in past years - in to provide a benchmark of the rivers' current condition and aspirations as to how it should be. 

Planning: 

We will review and contribute to local and national planning policies in order to understand and influence how additional building will impact on SWW’s ability to manage the resulting additional sewage, as well as dealing with other pollutants along the river Otter.