Bounds Green Rangers

We deserve clean rivers

"East Finchley Allotments is a vital green space for many local people in north London, and yet the two streams that flow through it are heavily polluted by untreated human waste released from nearby homes. For decades, Thames Water, which has the power to investigate which buildings the waste is coming from, and Barnet council, which can enforce change, have failed to tackle the problem. We must hold both to account — this failure of coordination is a London-wide problem that destroys biodiversity and harms community wellbeing. We deserve clean rivers." Ben Nathan, Guardian of Bounds Green Brook

What we do

Bounds Green Rangers is a volunteer-run river action group, working in collaboration with Pymmes BrookERS, Thames21, East Finchley and Fuel Lands Allotments plot holders, and local residents. We monitor pollution, share results openly, and campaign for clean water across the Bounds Green Brook catchment. We test at two sites — East Finchley Allotments, whose two polluted streams flow directly into the brook, and Hobart Corner downstream. You'll find data and testing dates for both at the bottom of this page.

Why

Both streams at the allotments, and Bounds Green Brook into which they flow, are badly polluted by misconnections with toilet sewage and detergents. Our monthly results on Water Rangers' public citizen science platform have consistently evidenced poor water quality throughout 2025/26. Evidence wins: this data drove Thames Water to listen, and cleaning up East Finchley Allotments' water courses is now on their Surface Water Outfall Programme (SWOP).

Holding Thames Water and Barnet council to account

Thames Water is responsible for identifying misconnected properties — where household wastewater flows into rainwater drains, polluting our streams. Barnet council holds powers to enforce householders to rectify problems that Thames Water finds. Survey work by Thames Water's contractor WERM Limited runs from June to December 2026. We're monitoring pollution levels closely to make sure East Finchley Allotments isn't signed off until the water quality is good.

Water testing dates

East Finchley Allotments
Tuesday 16 June, 6pm
Tuesday 21 July, 6pm
Tuesday 18 August, 6pm
Tuesday 15 September, 6pm

Hobart Corner
Thursday 25 June, 5pm
Friday 24 July,  5pm
Friday 14  August, 5pm

Friday 18 September

Get involved

BoundsGreenRangers@gmail.com

Report pollution 

https://www.thameswater.co.uk/help/water-and-waste-help/pollution

https://www.gov.uk/report-water-pollution