AQUA (Aquatic Quality Award)

The AQUA (Aquatic Quality Award) is a growing national initiative dedicated to protecting the UK’s rivers, lakes and canals and harbours from one of their biggest threats: invasive non-native species (INNS).

More than 50 invasive species have already established themselves in UK waterways.

Familiar examples include floating pennywort, a fast-growing plant that can smother entire stretches of water; Himalayan balsam, which spreads rapidly along riverbanks and contributes to erosion; and the American signal crayfish, which outcompetes native crayfish and damages habitats through burrowing.

These species can outcompete native wildlife, disrupt delicate ecosystems, block waterways and even damage infrastructure—costing the UK economy an estimated £1.8 billion every year.

Many introductions happen unintentionally through everyday activities like boating, angling and water sports. That’s why raising awareness—and taking simple preventative action—is so important.

AQUA works directly with site managers and water users to strengthen biosecurity and reduce the spread of invasive species.

Through clear guidance, practical tools and ongoing support, the scheme helps sites:

• Protect native wildlife

• Maintain healthier ecosystems

• Promote responsible and sustainable water use

Visitors will increasingly recognise the AQUA accreditation symbol online and on-site—providing reassurance that a location is actively protecting its environment. In turn, this makes accredited sites more attractive places to visit, explore and enjoy.

Sites are awarded AQUA accreditation at three levels:

• Bronze

• Silver

• Gold

Each level reflects a site’s commitment to improving biosecurity and safeguarding biodiversity.

Behind the scenes, a panel of experts from organisations including South West Lakes Trust, Defra, South West Water, the Angling Trust, the Environment Agency, Yorkshire Water and Bristol Zoological Society ensures the scheme remains credible, effective and science-led.

The AQUA initiative continues to expand, with more sites working towards accreditation every year.

So far, the project has:

• Installed 180+ “Check, Clean, Dry” signs at key access points

• Trained 65+ site guardians

• Reached over 30,000 water users with essential biosecurity guidance

Together, these efforts are building a stronger, more informed community of water users who play an active role in protecting our natural environments.

Healthy waterways benefit wildlife, communities and everyone who enjoys time on or near the water. Through collective action—and initiatives like AQUA—we can safeguard these environments for generations to come.

If you manage a site that could benefit from AQUA accreditation, we’d love to get you onboarded - please fill out the form below to become a bronze AQUA partner today.