Mission Impossible - or is it? Find out how the water quality message is getting through

Name: Mission Impossible - or is it? Find out how the water quality message is getting through
Start: 2025-10-21T18:15:00+01:00
End: 2025-10-21T20:30:00+01:00
Location: RNLI Looe Lifeboat Station

Schedule

Tue Oct 21 2025 at 06:15 pm to 08:30 pm

UTC+01:00

Location

RNLI Looe Lifeboat Station | Looe, EN

Mission Impossible: Iain Barker and John Meakin will illustrate how citizen science promoted buy-
in from farmers, restaurant and hotel owners, South West Water, East Looe Town Trust, Looe
Town Council, industry and householders to rescue the failing bathing beach water quality and
benefit the local environment, economy and jobs. Come along and hear how our bathing water
quality improved from poor to good and have a go at identifying some freshwater animals.
From 2016 Iain headed up a project whilst working for Cornwall Wildlife Trust. It engaged with
over 150 farmers, 400 householders, every campsite and caravan park in the area as well as hotels
and cafes in Looe and Liskeard. The scope of the project was impressive, much wider and
comprehensive than anything that had been tried before.
No one really thought it was possible but every step helped - a diverted foul drain, an improved
sewage treatment plant, covering a farm yard, installing a grease trap in a café – in the end it all
added up and we got improvement!
Complimenting this John will describe the riverfly monitoring scheme. By assessing the health of
local waters problems can be spotted quickly and reported. Learn how to do it, what to look out
for and how we benefit.
The talk will be followed by our in-person monthly meeting to which all are welcome. Under 18s
must be accompanied by an adult. This is a FREE event but donations to Looe Marine Conservation
Group are welcomed. Please check our website ( www.looemarineconservation.org ) and Facebook
page ( www.facebook.com/LooeMCG ) closer to the time of the event for the most up to date
information. Any other queries please email [email protected] .