Our Water is Shit - Literally

I’m angry, you should be too.

Our waterways are filthy and literally full of shit, sewage that is.

Clean water is an essential resource for the well-being of our communities and the environment.

However, a shocking truth has recently come to light: water companies in the UK are repeatedly spilling sewage into our precious waterways, putting public health at risk. On average there’s about 824 serious sewage spills into our rivers and waterways each day whilst the companies and their shareholders take millions of pounds in dividends. Its outrageous and not say a massive health risk that impacts EVERYONE.

1. Health Risks Amplified:

The release of sewage into waterways carries severe health implications for both humans and wildlife. Sewage contains harmful pathogens, bacteria, viruses, and chemical contaminants that can cause waterborne diseases, including gastroenteritis, hepatitis, and even potentially lethal infections. Exposure to contaminated water bodies through recreational activities or consumption of contaminated seafood can have devastating consequences for public health.

2. Environmental Catastrophe:

Sewage spills have dire consequences for the delicate ecosystems of our waterways. The high nutrient content in sewage fuels algal blooms, leading to oxygen depletion and causing mass fish kills. The imbalance in the aquatic food chain, coupled with the release of toxic chemicals, disrupts the fragile biodiversity of our rivers and streams. These spills can also contaminate groundwater, further jeopardizing our water resources and perpetuating long-term damage.

3. Economic Impact:

The repercussions of water companies' negligence extend beyond health and environment, affecting our economy as well. Tourism and recreational activities, such as boating, fishing, and swimming, contribute significantly to local economies. However, the reputation damage caused by sewage spills can deter tourists, resulting in financial losses for businesses that rely on healthy water bodies. Moreover, the cost of cleaning up and restoring the affected areas falls on the taxpayers, despite the profits garnered by water companies.

4. Regulatory Failures:

The frequency and scale of sewage spills highlight a significant regulatory failure. Water companies are entrusted with the responsibility of treating and maintaining our water resources. However, weak enforcement of regulations, inadequate monitoring, and lenient penalties allow these companies to escape accountability. This lack of oversight creates a culture of impunity, where water companies prioritise profits over public health and environmental protection.

5. Ethical Dilemma:

The issue at hand is not merely about health risks and environmental damage. It raises ethical concerns about corporate responsibility and accountability. Water company bosses and corporations are amassing considerable wealth while compromising the well-being of communities and ecosystems. This blatant disregard for public welfare amplifies social inequalities, as those most affected by the spills are often the most vulnerable communities residing near contaminated waterways.

Summary

The consistent and widespread release of sewage by water companies into UK waterways demands immediate and robust action.

The health risks, environmental catastrophe, economic impacts, regulatory failures, and ethical dilemmas associated with these spills should enrage us all. As conscientious citizens, we must demand accountability from water companies and regulatory bodies, urging them to prioritize public health and the preservation of our water resources over profits.

Our collective voice is vital in pressuring authorities to enact stricter regulations, impose significant penalties for negligence, and invest in modernising and maintaining the infrastructure necessary to prevent future spills.

Together, we can strive for a future where clean water is no longer compromised by corporate greed and indifference, marchforcleanwater.org are planning a march on the 26th October in London to flood the streets with rage, we’re going, so is Feargal Sharkey who has written about it in the Guardian.

Also, Greenpeace have launched a petition to make the government take action, click here to join and share with your buddies, you can also join and support Surfers Against Sewage.

Get active. Save our waterways and protect the health of all of us and the environment.

Rage Rage Rage against the poisoning of our water and waterways.