28 March 2024
Figures show that sewage spills from storm overflows were up 54% in 2023.
Richard Benwell, chief executive of Wildlife and Countryside Link, said: “The level of sewage, chemical and agricultural pollution is utterly unacceptable and unsustainable for our environment. Every additional hour of sewage spilling into rivers is another setback for stopping the decline of wildlife by 2030, especially in sensitive ecosystems.
“Today’s picture must surely be rock bottom. Thanks to public demand, we’re starting to see the true scale of pollution, so now it’s time for solutions. Across the economy polluters should pay for the damage they’ve caused to our environment, not just optimistic offsets, but real contributions to nature’s recovery. For public bodies like Ofwat and the Environment Agency, we need a clear Green Duty to take a nature-first approach, driving more investment into natural solutions to clean up river catchments countrywide.”
ENDS
Latest Press Releases