- 40% of all our rivers in England and Wales are polluted with sewage, with just 16% in a good ecological condition. Despite the 25 Year Environment Plan’s ambition to return at least three quarters of our waters to their natural state by 2027, river quality has not improved in four years.
- The discharge of untreated sewage is a major part of the problem, in 2019, raw sewage was discharged into rivers across England and Wales for over 1.5 million hours, compromising vital habitats for wildlife and endangering the health of people who use our rivers for recreation.
I am giving my support to a new Bill to help clean up Britain’s rivers from sewage pollution, to help deliver cleaner water in our local rivers and waterways.
The Sewage (Inland Waters) Bill 2019-21 was introduced by Ludlow MP Philip Dunne and will have its Second Reading in the House of Commons on 13th November 2020. The Bill places a duty on water companies to ensure that untreated sewage is not discharged into rivers and other inland waters.
It proposes several other measures, including:
- improving transparency and monitoring of the impact of spillages on water quality;
- separating surface and foul water drainage systems from new infrastructure and housing development;
- encouraging nature-based solutions for wastewater treatment;
- requiring water meters for all homes being leased, rented or sold from 2025;
- prohibiting use of plastic in flushable products;
- promoting improvements in bathing water standards for inland waters and rivers.
The Bill already enjoys the support of The Rivers Trust, The Angling Trust, Surfers Against Sewage, Wildlife Trusts, Wildlife & Countryside Link, RSPB, Salmon & Trout Conservation, Freshwater Habitats, Bug Life, Waterkeeper Alliance, London Waterkeeper, Windrush Against Pollution, Sewage Free Swimmers, Blue Marine Foundation, Outdoor Swimming Society, British Canoeing, Royal Lifesaving Society, Marinet UK, and the Institute of Fisheries Management.
