WATERWAY WARRIORS

Springtime – the days are starting to get longer, the weather is becoming sunnier, and it’s the perfect time for a trip down to the river. But before you take a dip, there’s something you should know about the UK’s waters.

Only 14% of the rivers in the UK are in good ecological condition, according to the Environmental Audit Committee. The committee found that a rise in animal waste and sewage in our water supply, as well as a lack of monitoring, has created a dangerous mixture of chemicals in English rivers.

News reported that prime minister Rishi Sunak’s plans to remove over 4,000 pieces of EU legislation from the British statute by the end of the year is hindering the improvement of water quality in rivers.

If Sunak has his way, the Bathing Water Regulations, among other laws, will be scrapped. The regulation requires councils to openly provide information on the cleanliness of bathing sites. If the law is no longer in place, people who need these water bodies, including swimmers, will have less indication of whether the rivers are clean.

MP for Ludlow and Environmental Audit Committee chairman Philip Dunne informed the UK Government in January: “To deliver real change and improve the state of our rivers, a wide range of stakeholders must come together, including the government, regulators, and water companies.”

Countless organisations and individuals say the government’s response to this public safety issue is not good enough. These activists are challenging the government’s lukewarm response to the problem and taking it into their own hands.

Here are some of our favourite waterway warriors who are putting the health of the UK rivers first and leading the way to healthier waters.