https://morningstaronline.co.uk/article/ministers-warned-act-pitiful-health-englands-waterways
An aerial view of water treatment ponds and solar panel farm at Thames Water’s Chertsey Water Works in SurreyANYTHING less than a full restructure of the water industry would be a “total insult” to the public, ministers were warned today as the majority of English waters failed to meet ecological standards.
Clean water campaigners and the GMB demanded PM Andy Burnham take decisive action after new Environment Agency (EA) figures revealed only 14 per cent of England’s waterways are in good health.
While 15 per cent of rivers are classed as good, only around 7 per cent of lakes reached that threshold, the EA said.
Researchers cited phosphate as the largest individual polluter, which comes from sewage and farming runoff. About half of rivers still exceed safe levels.
Surfers Against Sewage (SAS) senior policy manager Henry Swithinbank recognised that Mr Burnham previously said “some promising things” on the water sector.
“But now is not the time for lip service,” Mr Swithinbank told the Morning Star. “Burnham must turn those words into urgent action. Anything less will be a total insult to our waters and the public.”
He added: “Despite promises from water companies, and government policies and targets, our waters continue to be degraded into an even more dire state.
“Are we surprised? After years of limp policies, slap on the wrist fines and tinkering, sadly, we are not.
“But we are furious. Our beaches, rivers and lakes are poisoned by sewage. This cannot be allowed to continue.
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