UK Sewage Pollution Up

Sewage pollution in UK rivers has increased by more than 85 percent over the last year, according to a new report.

Photo Insert: Raw sewage and rubbish along Blackpool beach, UK

Euronews Green reported that the findings from the campaign group Surfers Against Sewage (SAS) say that a total of 5,517 sewer overflow notifications were issued by water companies over the 12 month period. Last year that number was 2,941.

Sewage discharge usually only happens when heavy rainfall adds too much water to wastewater treatment plants. This is called an overflow and it is an important part of managing sewers to prevent flooding in streets and homes.

The report notes, however, that it is happening more and more during periods of ‘normal’ rainfall - adding to the pollution problem.

SAS also found that a majority of these discharge notifications happened between 15 May and 30 September - bathing season in the UK.

One in six days were rendered “unswimmable” due to sewage pollution during the official bathing season alone.

With some water companies only providing information during this season, Surfers Against Sewage says this means the figures are likely a conservative estimate of how much sewage has been released into UK waters.

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