A coalition of river and sea organisations is calling for targets for water companies to reduce sewage discharges to be included in the upcoming environment bill. They intend to deliver a petition calling for an end to sewage discharges into rivers and coastal waters to George Eustice, the environment secretary, next month. There has been no improvement in the state of English rivers since 2016, when the last data was published, despite government promises that 75% of English rivers would be rated as good by 2027. The data showed only 16% of waterways – rivers, lakes and streams – were classed as being in ecological good health, the same as 2016. We demand government set legally binding targets for an end to sewage discharges which will see a strong framework set to hold water companies to account.

Source: The Guardian September 28, 2020 10:07 UTC