Protest in Newquay in national day of action against sewage pollution
Surfers Against Sewage are calling are calling for clean and healthy oceans
A protest is being held in Newquay as part of a national day of action against sewage pollution.
St Agnes based Surfers Against Sewage (SAS) are staging demonstrations across the UK against all the major water companies.
The flagship protest is taking place Fistral Beach at 1pm on Saturday (23rd April) and will march through town to end at the Killacourt.
The Cornish charity wants to see a clean and healthy ocean, and is calling for an end to sewage pollution into UK bathing waters by 2030.
They say they want show water companies and the government that there is a unified movement that will 'not stand for this environmental destruction any longer'.
What are SAS calling for?
- Stronger and bolder targets to end untreated sewage discharge
- An enhanced testing regime which shows a true picture of the UKs water quality in real time
- Nature restoration to reduce pressure & minimise impacts on sewage infrastructure
- Increased investment from industry in infrastructure to prevent destructive practices
A SAS spokesperson said: "This year, industry and government must put their words into action and deliver on their commitments to tackle sewage pollution. And it’s up to us to keep the pressure on.
"We are joining forces with end sewage pollution campaigners across the country to bring together the energy, anger and momentum from the last thirty years for a National Day of Action on Water Quality.
"11 protests across the UK. Each targeting one water company: from Scottish Water, to Northern Ireland to South West Water. Thousands of people across the UK demanding action. Now."
They added: "The UK’s rivers and seas are in a critical state. Sewage pollution is being poured into our blues spaces at an alarming rate and water companies are getting away with it. In 2020 alone, sewage was released into the environment over 400,000 times equating to 3.1 million hours of discharge. It’s no surprise the UK is ranked last in Europe for bathing water quality. And only 14% of UK rivers currently meet ‘good ecological status’ with none passing chemical tests. This has gone far enough.
"We’ve called on government to address this sewage scandal. We’ve reported the health risks this pollution puts on all water users. We’ve exposed the regulators and testing regime for ignoring the truth. Now we need to take our message to #EndSewagePollution straight to the doors of water company HQs."