Watermark Town Initiative
We're working to make Bradley Stoke a Watermark Town
Join the new network of towns working to save water, manage rainwater, reduce runoff and improve the local environment.
Bradley Stoke Town Council is working with Wessex Water to become a Watermark Town.
The Watermark Town initiative aims to help communities use water more efficiently, protect the natural environment, and improve local water services. Safe water and wastewater services are essential for our daily lives, wellbeing, and the health of the natural world.
STEP 1 – Watermark Town Initiative workshop poster (Word)
The Town Council hosted the first Watermark Town Initiative workshop at the Jubilee Centre on Saturday 21st March 2026. This was a very productive workshop with lots of ideas and suggestions discussed. Since then, two further workshops have taken place, on 18th April 2026 and 13th June 2026.
- Watermark Town Initiative workshop notes Saturday 13th June 2026 (Word)
- Watermark Town Initiative workshop notes Saturday 18th April 2026 (Word)
- Watermark Town Initiative workshop notes Saturday 21st March 2026 (Word)
The Town Council is also hoping to be able to apply for external grant funding towards ongoing projects linked to the successful approved, Bradley Stoke Town Council can may receive grant funding to support community projects that promote better water use and reduce wastewater.
Awareness Campaigns
Over the coming months, the Council will be running a series of campaigns to help the town earn this recognition, covering flushing wisely, disposing of fats and cooking oils correctly, saving water at home, the Yellow Fish campaign on surface water drains, smart water meters and support with water bills, and de-urbanising gardens and driveways to improve drainage.
Flush Wisely
The first stage of this campaign, Flush Wisely, has now been published and is live on the Council's social media channels. It covers what should and should not be flushed, including wet wipes, cleaning wipes and tanning wipes, and encourages residents to stick to the 3Ps: pee, poo and paper only. Further updates will follow as each stage of the Watermark Town campaign is rolled out.
Disposing Fats and Cooking Oils
The educational post regarding Disposing Fats and Cooking Oils, has now been published and is live on the Council's social media channels. It covers how to correctly dispose of cooking fat, oil and grease, including letting it cool before binning or reusing it, and explains why pouring it down the sink causes blockages and fatbergs further down the line.
Save Water at Home
The third stage of this campaign, Save Water at Home, has now been published and is live on the Council's social media channels. It covers simple ways to cut down water use in the shower and bathroom, including using a four minute shower timer, catching cold water in a jug while waiting for the tap to run warm, and fitting a free Buffaloo cistern bag to save water with every flush. Free devices are available directly from www.bristolwater.co.uk
Only Rain Down the Drain Campaign by Bristol Avon Rivers Trust
Bristol Avon Rivers Trust (BART) have been painting pavements in Bradley Stoke! On Thursday 5th March 2026. They were working with local artist Alicia Hayden Wildlife spreading the message that only rain should go down the drain. Surface drains often lead directly to rivers and any pollutants that go down these drains can harm river wildlife.
The artist painted a drain at each school, and BART staff also added 2 whole stencil pieces at each school plus a few smaller stencils with words and small pictures. They used non-toxic chalk based paints and food colouring to create the artwork.
Look out for the artworks outside Meadowbrook, Holy Trinity and Bowsland Green Primary schools. Quick before the chalk washes away!
Find out more about Alicia Hayden.
Find out more about Yellow Fish.
