Waterways provide opportunities for people to be active and unwind, to relax and play.
However, our waterways are in crisis. Raw sewage, agricultural waste and plastic are polluting our rivers.
The data for 2023 shows 464,056 spills, a 54% increase in the number of sewage spills compared to 2022, and a 13% increase compared to 2020.
The data was returned from 14,318 storm overflows during the calendar year of 2023, up from 13,313 in 2022 and 12,092 in 2020.
What’s going on?
We have two systems which treat our water. The older combined sewer system which carries all the waste water (foul sewage) from people’s homes and businesses.
It travels along with surface water (rainwater from gutters drains and some highways) together in one pipe to the waste water treatment works for processing.
This is the system in the majority of our towns and cities today.
Combined Sewer Overflows (CSOs) act as release valves for the sewage network.
In times of heavy rain (or not in some cases) the system is overwhelmed, so to prevent sewage backing up into people’s homes, CSOs discharge directly into our inland and coastal waters.
Some of these discharges are permitted.
Given a growing population, climate change and a lack of investment, the system is unable to cope, meaning large amounts of sewage is discharged into the waters we love to paddle.
Water quality is also impacted by farming techniques where human waste is used as fertiliser and spread on fields.
Unfortunately particularly during heavy rain, this is washed into our watercourses.
In addition, faeces from livestock including large scale chicken farms as we have seen on the Wye are also creating havoc for our health and that of our waterways, as their waste is also washed into our waters.
The increase in nutrient levels also aids the growth of invasive weeds which can deoxygenate the water killing off fish and impacting other species, as well as physically blocking our waters, preventing navigation.
Bathing Waters
In 1976, the EU Bathing Water Directive introduced standards to limit the bacteriological loads at designated bathing water sites.
However, in 2022, England has just three rivers designated as bathing water sites, the rest are on the coast.
These sites are the only locations where the water quality is officially monitored during the bathing season for harmful bacteria which can pose a risk to our health, the quality of the water is protected and a classification awarded, ‘good’ ‘sufficient’ ‘poor’ which is publicised.
We want healthy coastal and inland waters free from sewage pollution, rich in wildlife for all to enjoy the benefits of connecting with nature.
What are we doing about it?
Paddle UK are campaigning for the government to go further, faster to help our blue spaces recover from pollution.
We want…
1. To introduce a legally binding target to end 90% of sewage discharges by 2030 prioritising places where there will be the greatest benefit to recreational users.
2. To deliver mandatory monitoring of all sewage outlets enabling accurate real-time water quality information all year round, including, load, duration and enhanced testing.
3. To increase in the number of designated inland bathing waters to 200 by 2030, prioritising places where there will be the greatest benefit to recreational users.
4. To allocate more resources to the Environment Agency to monitor, investigate and hold polluters to account.
We are working closely with the #EndSewagePollution Coalition and Blueprint for water to align policy and agree collective actions.
These include manifesto asks and challenging the Storm Overflow Discharge Reductions plan which is meant to set legally stringent targets to protect people, but fails to go far enough.
We want to influence future water sector policy by responding to Defra, Ofwat and Water Company consultations, highlighting the need to go further faster.
Your Water Your Say consultations which allow stakeholders to question water companies and challenge their 2025 – 2030 plans.
The plans will cover everything each company does now and in the future.
The Environment Act 2021
Thanks to your hard work, your voices on sewage pollution have been heard.
The Environment Act places a duty on water companies to secure a progressive reduction in the adverse impacts of discharges from storm overflows on both the environment and public health.
Under the act, water companies must provide real-time information when sewer overflows are discharging within the hour and monitor and report on the impact of sewage discharges.
What can I do?
Keep up to date with real time discharges through the Surfers Against Sewage Safer seas and rivers app.
Check how your nearest CSO is performing via the Rivers Trust.
Contact your MP and water company demanding an end to untreated sewage discharges.
Sign River Action’s Rescue our Rivers petition.
Flush only poo, pee and toilet paper.
Report any pollution incidents to the Environment Agency’s 24-hour Hotline: 0800 80 70 60
Sign up to become a Clear Access, Clear Waters supporter and keep up to date on the latest developments and ways to get involved.
Thanks for your hard work campaigning on this issue, let’s continue to take action and ensure the future of our blue spaces is sewage-free.
