What is going on here?
Fed up with the ongoing and dangerous water pollution, citizens in England and Wales are boycotting their water bills as water companies continue with excessive sewage spills.
What does this mean?
The UK is grappling with a sewage crisis, and data from the Environment Agency suggest that sewage spills rose by 54% compared to previous year. Pollution from these spills poses a serious public health threat, as pathogens are contaminating water bodies, leading to increased reports of serious infections across England and Wales.
As a response to the degradation of water quality and poor waste management, campaigns such as Don’t Pay for Dirty Water and Boycott Water Bills are encouraging citizens to withhold the payment of their water bills. Their goal is to pressure companies and the government to implement effective sewage management plans to ensure the safety of freshwater systems and reverse the dangerous pollution of water bodies.
Why should we care?
As of July 2010, the United Nations General Assembly recognized the human right to water, sanitation, and sewage services. Legally, water companies can discharge untreated sewage under conditions like heavy rainfall.
However, a BBC analysis suggests that some companies are discharging sewage even in dry conditions, possibly due to maintenance issues or hydraulic incapacity, but without rainwater to dilute the waste, higher concentrations of sewage enter waterways, which is illegal and infringes on the right to proper sewage management.
The public health risk due to the sewage pollution is growing rapidly and more and more cases are being reported by citizens being infected with fecal bacteria and parasites. Along with the degradation of the aquatic ecosystem, the accumulation of feces makes the water bodies unenviable for both their natural inhabitants and humans. According to the Rivers Trust, only 14% of rivers in England are considered to be at Good Ecological Status within the Water Framework Directive.
The Don’t Pay for Dirty Water and Boycott Water Bills initiatives exemplify how communities share information, take action, and spark collective movements to address corporate profiteering and advocate for improved living and environmental conditions. Hopefully, this will inspire people worldwide to continue advocating for better solutions and sustainable waste management, ensuring that everyone can enjoy clean drinking and bathing water
Be curious!
- Follow the Environment Agency’s guide on how to “Swim Healthy”.
- Discover how you can support the Rivers Trust in promoting healthier rivers.
- Check out how you can spot a polluted river.
- From the Curious Archives: Read more about the bathing waters across England.
Featured image by Bluepikachu via Unplash
