Thousands Rally in London Against Sewage Spills: A Growing Demand for Clean Water

This rally, organised by River Action and attended by representatives from more than 100 organisations, highlights the critical need for decisive steps to address sewage spills and water pollution.

Prominent environmental organisations, including Greenpeace, the National Trust, and British Rowing, joined together at the rally in Parliament Square, calling for a review of the regulatory bodies, Ofwat and the Environment Agency, and stricter enforcement of existing pollution laws. At the heart of their demands is the preservation of Britain’s rivers, lakes, and seas from unchecked pollution caused by sewage spills and a call for greater accountability within the water industry.

A Call to Action from Chris Packham

Chris Packham, renowned BBC presenter and environmental advocate, spoke passionately at the protest, underscoring the public’s frustration with the water industry. “Today has proved that a lot of people are pissed off and sick of being ‘[let down] by a water industry that has gone down the pan,’” Packham stated. He further emphasised that the solutions to this crisis are well-known and only require prompt and “decisive governmental interventions.” His message was clear: delays in addressing pollution have real, irreversible consequences, endangering ecosystems and wildlife that should be thriving in the UK’s waters.

Voices from Across the Country

Protesters, dressed in blue to represent their call for clean water, marched from the Embankment to Parliament Square, reflecting a diverse array of voices united by concern for Britain’s water quality. Jon Mason, a geography teacher from Buckinghamshire, highlighted his concerns for the future of water quality. “I think we have moved backwards in terms of water quality and management in the past 30 or 40 years since privatisation,” he said, adding that issues around water pollution are likely to become even more pressing for future generations.

Among the youngest protesters was 11-year-old Benjamin Fallow, who held a handmade placard illustrating animals at risk due to polluted waters. For Benjamin, the rally was personal; he described how pollution has restricted his ability to enjoy swimming and rowing in local rivers. “It makes me quite sad that I can’t swim where I want or see the animals I want to see because the water is so polluted,” he explained, adding that he hopes his involvement will contribute to restoring rivers where “beautiful” wildlife, like the kingfisher he spotted years ago, can thrive once again.

The Water (Special Measures) Bill: Is it Enough?

The government recently introduced the Water (Special Measures) Bill, aimed at giving regulators more power to penalise water companies that damage the environment. In addition, an independent commission has been launched to assess the state of the water sector, representing what officials have called the most extensive review of the industry since its privatisation. Environment Secretary Steve Reed expressed his commitment to addressing these issues, stating, “Our children deserve the same chance we had to enjoy clean waterways for swimming, rowing, surfing or fishing.” However, many protesters argue that these measures are only a starting point and that further reforms are needed to achieve lasting change.

Sewage spills have surged dramatically in recent years. Data from the Environment Agency shows that sewage discharge into England’s waters more than doubled from 1.75 million hours in 2022 to 3.6 million hours last year. This alarming statistic underpins public calls for tighter regulation and better management practices to ensure that such incidents are minimised and prevented.

A Movement Unlike Any Other

As Charles Watson, chair of River Action, noted, this rally represents a wave of public anger “unlike anything we’ve seen before.” Across the UK, families, communities, and organisations have joined forces to demand an end to unchecked pollution and the preservation of clean, safe waters. The Times’ Clean It Up campaign, which advocates for stronger water regulation, echoes these calls for faster action to improve the country’s waterways.

As the UK government faces mounting pressure to take action, there is a growing recognition that clean waterways are not just an environmental concern but a public right. Ensuring that Britain’s rivers, lakes, and seas are safe for swimming, rowing, and fishing requires immediate, focused efforts. For those at the protest, and for communities across the country, this issue has taken on an urgency that can no longer be ignored.

The message from London is clear: the time for change is now.