Britain suffers from chronic pollution of its rivers with wastewater treatment that has functioned poorly for years. The companies concerned are singled out.
Published on 03/11/2024 09:30
Reading time: 1min
Walking along the Thames closely means observing unsavory water that is sometimes even filthy, as during the last edition of the famous rowing race between Oxford and Cambridge. Several athletes had fallen ill, contaminated by this polluted river. To denounce the pollution of waterways in Great Britain, a demonstration is being organized in central London on Sunday November 3.
“The British water pollution scandal is literally destroying the environment before our eyes”denounces naturalist Chris Packham. He is one of those calling for demonstrations today.
“Vulnerable species will disappear under a deluge of sewage, agricultural fertilizers and chemicals”
Very regularly, wastewater treatment centers, in poor condition, overflow and contaminate the entire environment, when they do not empty the surplus directly into the sea.
Water management was privatized in 1989. Since that date, these companies have paid 93 billion euros to their shareholders while accumulating 71 billion euros in debt. And these companies want to charge consumers much more in the coming years. Increases that could reach more than 80%.
The government has just created a commission to examine the situation. With the aim of reinvesting profits in aging equipment and offering better service.
