Activists continue fight for cleaner water in the UK including Teesside
Surfers Against Sewage are marching in London today
A group of people are marching in London today as they continue the fight for clean waters, including here in Teesside.
The national gathering will see people who are concerned over the state of UK waters marching with the aim of reclaiming the right to clean, healthy and abundant water.
Campaigners are calling on the new government to enforce the current law and deliver new legislation that will end all pollution, and restore the rivers, waterways, seas and reservoirs to full health by 2030.
John Reeve is from Surfers Against Sewage in Saltburn and he said: "We want year round water testing, a simple fair process from DEFRA, for bathing water status applications and most importantly, nature-based solutions to reduce storm water inundation of our sewage systems. What we really need to see are regulators such as Ofwat and the Environment Agency given its funding back.
"End pollution for profit, enforce the law, we've got the rules and regulations, they need enforcing now and we need to reform the regulators. We want to be in a place where all representatives across the UK are saying the same thing, because we're not seeing this statndard across the whole of the UK platform.
"I think the real importance now is to show the level of angst, the number of people that still has this on their mind and to demonstrate that we need to keep pressure on this."
Participants are also being asked to wear blue to help form a human river throughout the city.
The march starts at 11am from Albert Embankment, you can find out more here.
The March is also being live streamed on the Clean Water YouTube channel from 1pm.
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.