London protesters demand water companies clean up sewage-tainted rivers

Thousands of group person marched successful London to request a cleanup of Britain’s sewage-clogged waterways

LONDON -- Holding signs pinch slogans including “stop nan plop” and “species not feces,” thousands of group marched successful London connected Sunday to request a cleanup of Britain’s sewage-clogged waterways.

Organizers estimated that 15,000 group took portion successful nan march on nan River Thames to Parliament, galore wearing bluish and waving bluish flags to shape a “human river.” Police did not springiness an estimate of nan crowd.

The March for Clean Water was organized by groups ranging from Greenpeace and Friends of nan Earth to British Rowing.

Water contamination has go an progressively high-profile rumor successful Britain, focusing attraction connected ambiance alteration and nan bequest of privatization of Britain’s utilities respective decades ago.

Private companies that supply some h2o and sewage person grounded to update their often-Victorian infrastructure arsenic populations person grown and request swelled. Leaks are common, and during dense rainfall companies discharge earthy sewage into rivers, lakes and nan sea. The number of discharges accrued by much than 50% past twelvemonth to a grounds 464,000 spills, according to nan Environment Agency.

Pollution from workplace runoff besides taints Britain’s waterways, and ambiance alteration is making nan business worse by bringing much aggravated rain.

Rower Imogen Grant, a golden medalist astatine nan 2024 Olympic Games, said it was commonplace for rowers to get sick aft training connected nan Thames.

“I walk hours and hours connected nan h2o training each time successful nan rowing boats during my sessions, and seeing nappies floating along, seeing integrative bags, seeing scum on nan pontoons that we’re training connected … It’s conscionable not bully capable and thing needs to change,” she said.

Water companies opportunity nan manufacture regulator won’t let them to raise h2o bills capable to finance improvements.

The Labour Party government, elected successful July, has introduced a measure to fortify regularisation and enforce tougher penalties connected h2o companies responsible for pollution. But nan demonstrators said much needs to beryllium done.

Nature broadcaster Chris Packham, who attended nan march, said Britain’s rivers are ”among nan worst successful Europe.”

“But I’m hopeful, firstly because we cognize what we request to do, and we person nan technologies to hole it. What we request to do is to person our caller authorities to enactment much rapidly,” he said.