Britain's filthiest rivers are revealed as sewage is dumped in waterways across the country: But is YOUR area on the list?
11 months, 3 weeks ago

Britain's filthiest rivers are revealed as sewage is dumped in waterways across the country: But is YOUR area on the list?

Daily Mail  

England's 20 dirtiest rivers were revealed yesterday as campaigners called for a new Blue Flag status to protect them from pollution. It was followed by the River Avon where Wessex Water dumped 32,500 hours worth of sewage, then the River Severn which experienced more than 30,000 hours of discharging by Severn Trent Water. The River Avon in Wiltshire, where Wessex Water dumped 32,500 hours worth of sewage Sir Ed Davey said: 'England's treasured rivers risk being ruined by shocking levels of raw sewage dumping, with a catastrophic impact for local communities and wildlife' Under proposals by the Liberal Democrats rivers could be awarded special status to protect them from pollution. Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey said: 'England's treasured rivers risk being ruined by shocking levels of raw sewage dumping, with a catastrophic impact for local communities and wildlife. We urgently need a new Blue Flag status to protect our rivers, along with punitive fines for water companies that continue to pump their filthy sewage into them.'

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History of this topic

Why I’ll be joining today’s march to clean up Britain’s polluted rivers
4 months, 3 weeks ago

Why I’ll be joining today’s march to clean up Britain’s polluted rivers

The Independent  

The River Irk was once renowned for the clarity of its water. According to the same study, the River Irwell – into which the Irk flows via an underground culvert beneath Manchester Victoria station – was blighted by the worst sewage pollution of all. As well as all too regular discharges from sewage outflows, a report analysing microplastic pollution via …

The UK says water bosses could face prison under plans to clean up sewage-clogged rivers
6 months, 2 weeks ago

The UK says water bosses could face prison under plans to clean up sewage-clogged rivers

Associated Press  

LONDON — The bosses of water companies that pollute waterways could go to prison under a new law the British government says will help clean up the country’s sewage-clogged rivers, lakes and beaches. The private companies that provide combined water and sewage services routinely discharge sewage into waterways when rain overwhelms sewer systems often dating from the Victorian era. Environment …

Mapped: Sewage in English rivers as water companies face £168m in combined fines
7 months, 2 weeks ago

Mapped: Sewage in English rivers as water companies face £168m in combined fines

The Independent  

Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Water regulator Ofwat …

Three of England’s biggest water companies face £168m in fines over sewage spills
7 months, 2 weeks ago

Three of England’s biggest water companies face £168m in fines over sewage spills

The Independent  

Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Industry regulator Ofwat has proposed £168m of fines for three …

Sewage spills are STILL rising in the UK with companies failing to get crisis under control, Environment Agency warns in damning report
8 months ago

Sewage spills are STILL rising in the UK with companies failing to get crisis under control, Environment Agency warns in damning report

Daily Mail  

Sewage spills are still rising in the UK with water companies failing to get the crisis under control, the Environment Agency has warned in a damning report The agency said there were 47 serious pollution incidents last year – up from 44 in 2022. Shocking photos from August 2022 showed how Lake Windermere in the Lake District turned bright green …

Every river in England is polluted, new Environment Secretary Steve Reed warns as he backs 'severe fines' for utilities illegally pumping sewage into lakes and waterways
8 months ago

Every river in England is polluted, new Environment Secretary Steve Reed warns as he backs 'severe fines' for utilities illegally pumping sewage into lakes and waterways

Daily Mail  

Every single river in England is polluted, the new Environment Secretary claimed today as he backed new 'severe fines' for water companies. He spoke out after regulator Ofwat last week revealed all 11 water firms in England and Wales are under scrutiny as part of a major investigation into sewage pollution in rivers. He spoke out after regulator Ofwat last …

Every river in the country is polluted, Environment Secretary warns
8 months ago

Every river in the country is polluted, Environment Secretary warns

The Telegraph  

Every single river in the country is polluted, the Environment Secretary has said as he warned that water companies have been covering up the true scale of sewage spills. Steve Reed said he is “not surprised” that people are worried about swimming in the sea, lakes and rivers around the country as there is no “guarantee” that the water is …

The UK's rivers are riddled with sewage pollution – new wetlands could help clean them up
8 months, 3 weeks ago

The UK's rivers are riddled with sewage pollution – new wetlands could help clean them up

BBC  

The UK's rivers are riddled with sewage pollution – new wetlands could help clean them up Getty Images None of the UK's rivers are in a healthy state As effluent from sewage works and agricultural pollution flow freely into rivers, researchers and local citizens are urgently seeking to clean up the UK's waterways. Wetlands are a "very effective way to …

Revealed: Interactive map shows where overloaded sewage pipes could burst again because water companies say it is 'not cost beneficial' to upgrade - but is YOUR home at risk?
10 months ago

Revealed: Interactive map shows where overloaded sewage pipes could burst again because water companies say it is 'not cost beneficial' to upgrade - but is YOUR home at risk?

Daily Mail  

Britain's greatest beauty spots and most stunning waterways are being continually polluted by water companies who say it is 'not cost beneficial' to upgrade the network to prevent leakage in half of all cases, MailOnline can reveal. Data analysis by MailOnline shows water firms decided there was 'no cost beneficial solution' to prevent 280 discharge sites in England that, due …

Sewage spills at a record high
11 months, 3 weeks ago

Sewage spills at a record high

The Telegraph  

Sewage spills rose to a record high last year, new data from the Environment Agency released on Wednesday will show. Final figures are expected to be slightly lower, but will still show that last year saw the highest number of spills in England since monitoring of sewage outflows began in 2016. The water industry is expected to point to the …

Labour would put water industry under special measures to ‘clean up toxic mess’
1 year, 5 months ago

Labour would put water industry under special measures to ‘clean up toxic mess’

The Independent  

Sign up to the Independent Climate email for the latest advice on saving the planet Get our free Climate email Get our free Climate email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy The water industry will be put “under special measures” and forced to “clean up their …

Sewage alerts across UK mapped after Storm Antoni unleashed month’s rain in less than 24 hours
1 year, 7 months ago

Sewage alerts across UK mapped after Storm Antoni unleashed month’s rain in less than 24 hours

The Independent  

Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. View more As of Monday, the map shows approximately 30 …

Mapped: Which areas in the UK have the most sewage overspills?
1 year, 8 months ago

Mapped: Which areas in the UK have the most sewage overspills?

The Independent  

Sign up to the Independent Climate email for the latest advice on saving the planet Get our free Climate email Get our free Climate email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. open image in gallery Thames Water was handed a multi-million fine for sewage dumping in rivers near Gatwick in …

Protesters across the UK call for an end to sewage spills in Britain's waterways in 'paddle outs'
1 year, 10 months ago

Protesters across the UK call for an end to sewage spills in Britain's waterways in 'paddle outs'

Daily Mail  

The campaign claims that more than 300,000 sewage spills took place in 2022 Surfer's Against Sewage said it was growing 'sick and tired' of water pollution Protestors flocked to 12 UK bathing spots today to call for an end to sewage spills Protestors flocked to beaches across the UK today as they called for an end to devastating sewage spills. …

Mapped: Sewage leaks in your area as water companies apologise for spills
1 year, 10 months ago

Mapped: Sewage leaks in your area as water companies apologise for spills

The Independent  

Sign up to the Independent Climate email for the latest advice on saving the planet Get our free Climate email Get our free Climate email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. This problem cannot be fixed overnight, but we are determined to do everything we can to transform our rivers …

England’s five ‘most polluted’ Blue Flag beaches revealed as waste dumped 1,500 times in a year
1 year, 11 months ago

England’s five ‘most polluted’ Blue Flag beaches revealed as waste dumped 1,500 times in a year

The Independent  

Sign up to the Independent Climate email for the latest advice on saving the planet Get our free Climate email Get our free Climate email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Water companies were found to have dumped sewage near Blue Flag beaches more than 1,500 times last year. open …

People warned to avoid 83 UK beaches because of raw sewage dumped nearby
2 years ago

People warned to avoid 83 UK beaches because of raw sewage dumped nearby

The Independent  

Sign up to Simon Calder’s free travel email for expert advice and money-saving discounts Get Simon Calder’s Travel email Get Simon Calder’s Travel email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Meanwhile, just below the border in North East England, Spittal, Warkworth, Druridge Bay, Amble Links, Blyth South Beach, Tynemouth Cullercoats …

UK rivers are too polluted to enjoy, says Ray Mears
2 years ago

UK rivers are too polluted to enjoy, says Ray Mears

The Independent  

Sign up to the Independent Climate email for the latest advice on saving the planet Get our free Climate email Get our free Climate email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Ray Mears has said he would not canoe in some of the UK’s rivers because …

‘Blatant disregard’ for UK beaches as more than 320 raw sewage warnings issued since start of 2023
2 years, 2 months ago

‘Blatant disregard’ for UK beaches as more than 320 raw sewage warnings issued since start of 2023

The Independent  

More than 320 pollution alerts have been issued for UK beaches already this year, new data reveals. Heavy rainfall in the first week of 2023 has seen raw sewage overflows inundate vast stretches of the UK coast, affecting the water quality on beaches from Blackpool and Southport, to Bexhill and St Helens. open image in gallery Surfers against Sewage have …

Water companies accused of illegally dumping raw sewage at UK swimming spots
2 years, 4 months ago

Water companies accused of illegally dumping raw sewage at UK swimming spots

The Independent  

Sign up to the Independent Climate email for the latest advice on saving the planet Get our free Climate email Get our free Climate email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy New data indicates that water companies in the UK are making “dry spills”: illegally discharging …

Fines for polluting water companies to rise 1,000-fold to £250m under plans to clean up rivers and seas, government says
2 years, 5 months ago

Fines for polluting water companies to rise 1,000-fold to £250m under plans to clean up rivers and seas, government says

The Independent  

Sign up to the Independent Climate email for the latest advice on saving the planet Get our free Climate email Get our free Climate email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy The new environment secretary, Ranil Jayawardena, has said the government will act to clean up …

Sewage: England’s most polluted rivers revealed
2 years, 6 months ago

Sewage: England’s most polluted rivers revealed

The Independent  

Sign up to the Independent Climate email for the latest advice on saving the planet Get our free Climate email Get our free Climate email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. open image in gallery Lamouth Creek, River Fal, Cornwall, is the most polluted spot in terms of the hours …

Sewage: How to check for pollution at beaches near you
2 years, 6 months ago

Sewage: How to check for pollution at beaches near you

The Independent  

Sign up to the Independent Climate email for the latest advice on saving the planet Get our free Climate email Get our free Climate email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. The Environment Agency allows water companies to release sewage into Britain’s seas, rivers and streams in the aftermath of …

Britishers Urged to Stay Away from Beaches as Sewage Spills onto English Channel, North Sea
2 years, 6 months ago

Britishers Urged to Stay Away from Beaches as Sewage Spills onto English Channel, North Sea

News 18  

EU lawmakers have a new, post-Brexit reason to be annoyed with the UK: British sewage overflows seeping into the English Channel and the North Sea. “The English Channel and the North Sea are not dumping grounds,” said Stephanie Yon-Courtin, a member of the European Parliament’s fishing committee and a local lawmaker in Normandy. “We have already made it law for …

British sewage overflows stink up relations across Channel
2 years, 6 months ago

British sewage overflows stink up relations across Channel

Associated Press  

PARIS — EU lawmakers have a new, post-Brexit reason to be annoyed with the U.K.: British sewage overflows seeping into the English Channel and the North Sea. The problem is a long-running issue in Britain, where regulators are investigating possible permit violations by six major water companies and environmental groups allege the firms have failed to make needed repairs. “We …

Wastewater firms miss targets for tackling pollution or sewage floods
2 years, 7 months ago

Wastewater firms miss targets for tackling pollution or sewage floods

The Independent  

Sign up to the Independent Climate email for the latest advice on saving the planet Get our free Climate email Get our free Climate email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. “No amount of financial penalties can undo the damage caused by wastewater companies polluting the environment or ease the …

Sewage polluting Britain’s beaches as swimmers warned to stay out of water at 50 seaside hotspots
2 years, 7 months ago

Sewage polluting Britain’s beaches as swimmers warned to stay out of water at 50 seaside hotspots

The Independent  

Sign up to the Independent Climate email for the latest advice on saving the planet Get our free Climate email Get our free Climate email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Swimmers are being warned to stay out of the water at more than 50 of …

Summer of SEWAGE on Britain's beaches: More than 50 seasides deemed dangerously polluted
2 years, 7 months ago

Summer of SEWAGE on Britain's beaches: More than 50 seasides deemed dangerously polluted

Daily Mail  

Holidaymakers are being urged to avoid more than 50 dangerously-polluted beaches across England and Wales due to huge amounts of raw sewage being pumped into the sea by water companies. Environmental campaign group Surfers Against Sewage keeps its own interactive map where surfers and other beach visitors can check the water quality of their local beach on a day to …

Families face extra £60 a year on their bills to fix leaky sewers
2 years, 11 months ago

Families face extra £60 a year on their bills to fix leaky sewers

Daily Mail  

Households will have to pay an extra £60 a year on water bills to pay to fix Britain’s creaking Victorian sewage system – despite water company bosses pocketing millions each year. Water companies dumped sewage more than 370,000 times into rivers last year for a duration of a staggering 2.6million hours. Today, we are setting specific targets to ensure that …

Water firms admit pumping raw sewage into UK rivers and seashores 1,000 times a day
2 years, 11 months ago

Water firms admit pumping raw sewage into UK rivers and seashores 1,000 times a day

The Independent  

Sign up to the Independent Climate email for the latest advice on saving the planet Get our free Climate email Get our free Climate email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Water companies have admitted to discharging raw sewage into England’s rivers, estuaries and seas around …

Water companies are 'releasing raw sewage into rivers more than 1,000 times a day'
3 years, 1 month ago

Water companies are 'releasing raw sewage into rivers more than 1,000 times a day'

The Telegraph  

Wildlife havens have become foul sludge, but we can still save them By Feargal Sharkey, the former lead singer of the Undertones and chairman of the Amwell Magna Fishery, the oldest fly-fishing club in England It’s the retirement home we could all dream about. An Elizabethan house nestling quietly in the rolling hills of Hertfordshire surrounded by some of the …

How the climate crisis is polluting England’s rivers
3 years, 2 months ago

How the climate crisis is polluting England’s rivers

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy MPs have given a worrying …

Sewage discharges into UK’s rivers and beaches soar by 88 per cent in 12 months
3 years, 4 months ago

Sewage discharges into UK’s rivers and beaches soar by 88 per cent in 12 months

The Independent  

Sign up to the Independent Climate email for the latest advice on saving the planet Get our free Climate email Get our free Climate email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Raw sewage pumped into Britain’s rivers and coastal waters by water companies has increased dramatically …

Water industry calls for cleaner ‘bathing rivers’ for wild swimmers amid sewage pollution fears
3 years, 5 months ago

Water industry calls for cleaner ‘bathing rivers’ for wild swimmers amid sewage pollution fears

The Independent  

Sign up to Simon Calder’s free travel email for expert advice and money-saving discounts Get Simon Calder’s Travel email Get Simon Calder’s Travel email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Campaigners are calling for tougher restrictions on sewage pollution in public waters, as water companies flood …

England’s rivers, lakes and streams ‘among worst in Europe’, amid growing concern over sewage and agricultural pollution
3 years, 6 months ago

England’s rivers, lakes and streams ‘among worst in Europe’, amid growing concern over sewage and agricultural pollution

The Independent  

Sign up to the Independent Climate email for the latest advice on saving the planet Get our free Climate email Get our free Climate email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy England’s rivers, lakes and streams have some of the lowest water quality in Europe, and …

Every river in England is polluted, government figures reveal
4 years, 6 months ago

Every river in England is polluted, government figures reveal

The Independent  

Sign up to the Independent Climate email for the latest advice on saving the planet Get our free Climate email Get our free Climate email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Every river in England is polluted and only one in seven of them meet a …

The Big Question: Why are our rivers so dirty, and what can be done to make them cleaner?
15 years, 6 months ago

The Big Question: Why are our rivers so dirty, and what can be done to make them cleaner?

The Independent  

Sign up to the Independent Climate email for the latest advice on saving the planet Get our free Climate email Get our free Climate email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Three-quarters of the rivers in England and Wales have failed tough new ecological tests introduced by the European Union, …

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