Waters of Exmoor
Our Waters of Exmoor Campaign is The Exmoor Society’s great single issue. Launched in 2025 in response to a growing environmental crisis. The evidence is stark: 5,869 hours of sewage discharged into the upper Exe catchment in 2023, pollution flowing into the Bristol Channel, pharmaceutical contamination in Exmoor’s rivers, and the unchecked sale of highly toxic flea and tick treatments that wash straight into our waterways.
Our ambition is bold. We are running campaigns, creating connections, and laying the framework for the intense work and collaboration needed to raise the condition of at least ¾ of our rivers to the elusive ‘high status’. Important work is already underway to slow river flows and reconnect floodplains — but far more must be done to tackle pollution at source and improve water quality. That means working with farmers to reduce agricultural pollution and with the water companies to improve the village sewage treatment plants.
Change is possible — but only if we act together. Learn more by signing up to our monthly newsletter, The Bolve, to be the first to hear about campaign actions, and explore the resources below to find out how you can help protect Exmoor’s rivers for the future.
‘Spot-on’ flea and tick treatments
For 2026, our focus continues on one of the least-known but highly damaging threats from ‘spot-on’ flea and tick treatments. These products, widely sold in supermarkets, contain powerful neurotoxic insecticides — including fipronil and imidacloprid — that harm wildlife, contaminate rivers and pose risks to human health.