Water pollution

Water damage

When we think of a freshwater river or lake in the UK, we often picture cool, clear waters and delicate aquatic plants. Maybe there are dragonflies hovering like jewels above the surface, splashes from otters playing, or the vibrant flash of kingfishers in flight.

Sadly, the reality is often very different. A cocktail of sewage from water treatment plants and chemicals from farmland is polluting our freshwater systems, leading to diseases and bacteria. This pollution also encourages algae to grow, which outcompete aquatic plants, eventually suffocating fish and other life below the surface.

Much of our wildlife depends on fresh water, and we need it to drink, grow our crops and use for recreation. What’s more, dirty water is dangerous and expensive to clean.

Cleaning up

Today, no river in England can be given a clean bill of health, and all countries of the UK are struggling with similar problems. In England and Wales, 60% of freshwater species are in decline – faster than in any other ecosystem. Our rivers are in urgent need of a lifeline.

By protecting the streams, rivers and wetland habitats that are left from the dangers of pollution and restoring others, we can secure the future of our freshwater. We all have a role to play – from nurturing small ponds in our gardens, to joining a local river restoration group, or telling our MPs we want them to stand up for freshwater wildlife and their habitats.

We also need the UK governments to fund monitoring and inspections of our freshwater catchments, enforce the law to prosecute polluters, and support farmers to move from intensive practices to adopting more nature-friendly farming methods.

Pollution poses a big threat but together, we can fight back. For nature’s sake – and for our own.