CUMBRIAN countryside enthusiasts are being given an opportunity to speak up for the rivers, lakes, ponds and wetlands they love.

A group of 16 environmental charities and organisations is urging individuals and communities to have their say by responding to an Environment Agency consultation on the future of England’s waters.

The consultation, which ends in March 2015, is asking people to comment on plans that will determine how our waters are managed for the next six years.

Blueprint for Water is a coalition of environmental, water efficiency, fishing and angling organisations which are calling on the government and its agencies to set out the necessary steps to achieve “sustainable water” by 2015.

The group includes the National Trust, RSPB and the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust, who say the people most likely to be affected are walkers, dog walkers, cyclists, anglers, boaters and holidaymakers.

The charities are asking people which stream, river, pond or landscape matters to them and are urging them to tell the Environment Agency about it via the Save Our Waters website.

It may be a local special place where people enjoy relaxing, or a popular visiting spot such as Windermere or Buttermere.

The team behind the ‘Save Our Waters’ campaign say these places in England ‘need our help’, with many having suffered the effects of extreme flooding, drought or pollution in recent years.

They claim that only a quarter of our water bodies are in a healthy state due to pollution, habitat destruction, and too much water being drawn out for homes and businesses.

Chair of the Blueprint for Water coalition of organisations, Janina Gray said: “Water is vital to our health and wellbeing.

“Wildlife, farming and our economy all rely on good quality water environment, and we love our waters as places to relax and enjoy. Yet currently only 25 per cent of our waters are in good health.

"This is a chance for everyone to send a clear message to the Environment Agency and the government that Cumbria’s water is important to you and that you want it managed well in future, for everyone’s benefit.”

The Save Our Waters website also has an option for anyone to contribute their views, as well as pages setting out the detailed vision of the scientists and experts as to what good water management in England should look like in the future.

People can have their say at saveourwaters.org.uk.