Sewage pollution
Water companies treat our blue spaces like an open sewer. And government and regulators turn a blind eye. We need to #EndSewagePollution now.
Water Quality Report (2020)
Bathers continue to get sick and the state of river and ocean ecosystems declines even further.
Keeping water users safe from illness because of poor water quality in rivers and the ocean is core to Surfers Against Sewage’s DNA.
Polluted waters are what kickstarted the organisation into action 30 years ago and are an issue that worryingly continues to affect surfers, open water swimmers, bathers, stand-up paddleboarders and other water users to this day. Despite the progress we have made, with much to be celebrated, there is still vital work to do to protect and restore rivers and the ocean from the impact of sewage and agricultural and urban runoff.
Restoring blue spaces will also be central to the recovery of nature and biodiversity, and help insulate communities from the worst effects of the changing climate. Local environmental action often connects us to global issues, as has been demonstrated through the global pandemic.
This year, transparency in water quality information has become even more important with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic and potential transmission risk for viruses in sewage. However, data from our Safer Seas Service (SSS) shows water companies are still discharging sewage at alarming rates, polluting the environment, and risking our health.
Go deeper
Protecting Wild Waters
Do you swim in your local river or lake, and want to take steps to improve it’s water quality? Take action and apply for bathing water designation with our support. Get involved in Protecting Wild Waters Protecting Wild Waters has been created to provide communities with support to apply for…
The Safer Seas & Rivers Service
Overflowing sewage. Pollution. Poor water quality. When it comes to living in the UK, shit happens. And far too much of it in our waterscapes. Untreated sewage and wastewater regularly gush from thousands of sewer overflows around the country. That’s why we’ve made it easy to check in, search out a swim, surf or sail…