Norfolk campaigners attending 'Clean Water March' call for strong action to tackle the issue
Organisers and attendees of this event have three main asks of Keir Starmer's Government
Conservationists from across the county who are marching in the Capital, calling on Government to improve our waterways, say drastic action's needed to protect local aquatic ecosystems
A 'March for Clean Water' is taking place in London from 11am to 3pm, today. Organisers River Action say more robust action is needed to protect the UK's rivers and lakes
It calls on the Government to improve the quality of our waterways and better protect it from pollution, moving forwards.
"The river systems are already stressed, they're not going to be able to handle this forever"
Amanda is an open water swimmer from Norwich:
"These pollution events are happening all of the time in our waterways. Where is anyone being held accountable for all of this? Bonuses being paid to executives of private water companies increased to over £9 million in 2023 and 2024. This shouldn't be happening".
Jim is a climate change researcher also from the city:
"The river systems are already stressed, they're not going to be able to handle this forever and we shouldn't be leaning on them like they can. We have some really precious waterways in Norfolk that we should be working to protect them".
What are organisers and those attending asking Government for?
1) To stop pollution for profit
2) To reform our 'failed' environmental regulators
3) enforce the laws that exist to deter and punish illegal pollution.
River Action say the Government’s planned Water (Special Measures) Bill does not address the "chronic failure of regulation in recent years"
The group welcome the introduction of an 'Independent Water Commission', but say it must ensure that the needs of the environment are fully considered and not sidelined by an apparent prioritisation of promoting economic growth.
"The time for excuses is over"
Charles Watson, Chair of River Action, the organiser of the March for Clean Water said:
“This movement is unlike anything we’ve seen before. Families, communities, and organisations from across the UK are rising in outrage at the state of our rivers, lakes and seas.
The Government’s first 100 days in power are up. The time for excuses is over. We’re here to hold the government accountable to the election promises previously made and make sure they deliver on them to clean up our long-suffering waterways for once and for all.”
What's the Government said on this?
Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Steve Reed, said:
“The public are furious that in 21st century Britain, record levels of sewage are being pumped into our rivers, lakes and seas. After years of neglect, our waterways are now in an unacceptable state.
“That is why I am announcing immediate action to end the disgraceful behaviour of water companies and their bosses.
“Under this Government, water executives will no longer line their own pockets whilst pumping out this filth. If they refuse to comply, they could end up in the dock and face prison time.
“This Bill is a major step forward in our wider reform to fix the broken water system. We will outline further legislation to fundamentally transform how the water industry is run and speed up the delivery of upgrades to our sewage infrastructure to clean up our waterways for good.”
The Government say the 'Water (Special Measures) Bill' will strengthen regulation, ban payment of bonuses if environmental standards aren't met and increase accountability.
You can read more on the details of it here