UK River Report #19: Some News to Peruse Vol. 2

Welcome back dear reader to the nineteenth installment of the UK River Report. It is Thursday 30th April as I write this blog and earlier today submitted the last of my essays. Although this month's post will again not be of my usual length and standard, I do hope you still find it useful and informative.

Update on a record-breaking environmental lawsuit:

One to watch closely.

www.bbc.co.uk

UK's biggest environmental pollution claim reaches High Court

One of the UK's largest chicken producers and a water company accused of polluting three rivers including the River Wye

Water companies — business as usual:

www.bbc.co.uk

Southern Water illegally dumped sewage after record £90m fine

The company pleaded guilty in court to five offences of sewage discharge between 2019 and 2021.

How will David Hinton hope to manage on only £400,000?

www.theguardian.com

South East Water chief executive to forgo his bonus over ‘unacceptable outages’

David Hinton will receive only his £400,000 salary this year after thousands of customers were left without water

Tick treatment troubles — a ban for biodiversity?

Protect our biodiversity, ban pesticide-based tick and flea treatments.

Instead, use natural alternatives.

www.theguardian.com

Over-the-counter pet flea treatments could be banned under new UK rules

Exclusive: ministers consider restricting pesticide-based treatments, which can get into waterways and harm wildlife

In addition to this month's news, I have compiled some recommendations for how you can better manage against the sewage crisis and hold water companies to account:

• Install a filter to help reduce contaminants which may be present in our drinking water. This is something we now have in our house to address the issue of microplastics and other pollutants which may have bypassed treatment. Given the standard of care shown to our rivers and seas, I doubt water companies truly care about the quality of the water coming out of our taps.

• Don't Pay for Dirty Water. Actions speak louder than words. I would strongly recommend any reader to check out the link below for advice on cancelling your direct debit to your local water company and to join your local boycott group.

extinctionrebellion.uk

Don't Pay for Dirty Water - Extinction Rebellion UK

Join the boycott: Don’t Pay for Dirty Water is an autonomous campaign, withholding payment until water companies clean up our coasts and waterways.

Thank you for taking the time to read this month's issue of the UK River Report. I hope you found it informative. If you would like to get involved and raise awareness of river pollution in your area, please head over to the UK River Report website and check under the 'Get Involved' page to complete our survey, or feel free to get in touch via the 'Contact' page, if you feel you have more to discuss than the survey can offer. 

With hope for the future,

Federico