Behind Our Rivers’ innovative and ethical approach to nutrient neutrality is our founder and director, Sarah Belton.

Sarah is a hydrogeologist with a passion for water quality, environmental protection, and practical problem solving. In 2021, she founded Nutrient Neutral, a specialist consultancy dedicated to developing solutions that genuinely reduce pollutants and deliver long-term environmental benefits to rivers and their communities.

Sarah pioneered the use of septic tank upgrades as a nutrient neutrality solution, working closely with Natural England and Wiltshire Council in 2021/22. This innovative approach has since become a cornerstone of our work and continues to evolve as part of our ongoing commitment to ethical and practical environmental solutions. She also championed the concept of collaboration with local Rivers Trusts and installers to ensure local communities and river ecosystems benefit directly from upgrade schemes.

A Day in the Life at Our Rivers

As director, Sarah takes an overarching role in the delivery of our septic tank upgrade scheme, ensuring projects run smoothly and meet the highest standards.

She’s deeply involved in problem solving and is always available to answer questions, offer guidance, and support the team when challenges arise. Sarah enjoys most being able to see the team grow in confidence and capability. Creating a company culture where people feel supported, challenged, and proud of the work they do is hugely important to her. She’s also driven by a strong belief in doing the right thing, even when it’s harder than taking the easy option.

This approach underpins everything Our Rivers stands for and shapes the way the business operates on a day-to-day basis.

Life Outside of Work

Life looks a little different for Sarah these days. While her earlier interests included motorbikes, travel, and horses, her focus has shifted to raising strong, confident and compassionate children, walking the dog, and making the most of family adventures.

She’s never lost her practical streak, though. Sarah is handy with a chainsaw, makes a hearty stew, and still holds an advanced motorbike licence (despite crashing her first bike just three months after passing it!).

Fun Facts About Sarah

Sarah has plenty of surprising talents and stories up her sleeve:

• She studied Ninjitsu in her teens and was the only girl in her dojo.

• She rode dressage to a high level (not quite Olympic, but close!)

• She owns several guitars and loves a good sing-along with friends.

• Her superpower of choice would be regeneration and healing.

On a desert island, Sarah would take a water filter, a machete, a jar of Hellmann’s mayonnaise, and, most importantly, a Labrador.

Why Sarah Loves Our Rivers

When asked to describe Our Rivers in three words, Sarah chose Pioneering, Ethical, and Trustworthy, values that reflect both the business and the way she leads it.

Through her expertise, integrity, and determination to make a genuine difference, Sarah has created a company that pushes boundaries while staying true to its principles. We’re proud to have her at the helm and look forward to what is still to come.