When you visit the coast, you may have noticed warning signs about sewage in the water. With 2022 having been a record year for cases of sewage being pumped into our waters and protests becoming increasingly frequent, it is important that we understand how and why this is happening.
Why is there sewage in our rivers and seas?
Sewage systems collect all our unneeded water, from excess rainwater to wastewater from our toilets, and carry it to water treatment facilities. These systems can’t separate the different types of water, of course, meaning all the water goes to the same facility.
When there is excessive rainfall, leading to overflow, these water treatment facilities are allowed to discharge the excess water directly into rivers and seas. Although this is typically reserved for emergencies, the clear spike in instances over the years points to something being wrong.
Combine this with a lack of urgency from water companies in resolving the issue – with 90% of seaside sewage monitors being broken in 2022 – and it is clear why we are seeing an increase in issues. £235m in environmental cuts also don’t help, with the process overseen by Liz Truss.
Even the things we put down our own drains can contribute to the problem and cause nasty blockages in our homes. Keeping drains running smoothly can help the whole system run smoothly, with advice and services for drain jetting Reading available from drainage solutions companies such as drainpower.co.uk/drainage-services/drain-jetting/reading.
The damage
It is not just overflows that contribute to the issue, with large industrial farms contributing more and more to the issue as they grow in size and numbers. Not only do farms produce lots of waste products but also the chemicals that farmers are becoming more reliant on are seeping into nearby rivers, in turn carrying pollutants to the sea.
Steps are being taken to repair the damage, with higher fines and even prison sentences being proposed by the Environment Agency. The issue is becoming far more prevalent in the public eye as pollution and climate change continue to make headlines.