Dirty Business
I streamed all three episodes last night. It was a real eye opener. What surprised me was, The Environment Agency were complicit in the cover up of water companies dumping UNTREATED SEWAGE into the environment ie rivers etc even in fine weather. They are disgraceful.
Water companies in England and Wales have been releasing large amounts of untreated or partially treated wastewater into rivers, lakes, and the sea — often far beyond what many people would expect or accept:
In 2024 English water companies collectively discharged untreated sewage for over 3.6 million hours into waterways, a record high.
Some companies have been accused of illegal discharges or operating outside their environmental permits — including through emergency pipes not meant for regular dumping.
In recent years, individual companies such as Yorkshire Water and others have been fined for pollution offences for repeatedly allowing sewage to enter local waters.
🧪 Impacts on health and environment
Sewage in waterways carries bacteria and pathogens like E. coli and cryptosporidium, harming wildlife and posing health risks to people who swim or recreate in affected rivers and coasts.
Contamination has been linked to swimmers falling ill and aquatic ecosystems suffering from reduced water quality.
High levels of pollution have sparked media, public health, and political reactions — including a drama highlighting the crisis’ severity.
Water companies in England and Wales have been releasing large amounts of untreated or partially treated wastewater into rivers, lakes, and the sea — often far beyond what many people would expect or accept:
In 2024 English water companies collectively discharged untreated sewage for over 3.6 million hours into waterways, a record high.
Some companies have been accused of illegal discharges or operating outside their environmental permits — including through emergency pipes not meant for regular dumping.
In recent years, individual companies such as Yorkshire Water and others have been fined for pollution offences for repeatedly allowing sewage to enter local waters.
🧪 Impacts on health and environment
Sewage in waterways carries bacteria and pathogens like E. coli and cryptosporidium, harming wildlife and posing health risks to people who swim or recreate in affected rivers and coasts.
Contamination has been linked to swimmers falling ill and aquatic ecosystems suffering from reduced water quality.
High levels of pollution have sparked media, public health, and political reactions — including a drama highlighting the crisis’ severity.
