There are over 1100 ‘consented discharges’ across all of the rivers in our patch.
A ‘consented discharge’ allows waste from water companies, agriculture, industries and homes to be put into the river. We all know about the stink from sewage overflows, but incredibly over 700 of these consented discharges are actually from homes with small private sewage treatment plants and septic tanks. If they are not well maintained our rivers are at risk.
Pollution from these consented discharges, or from accidental spills, kills wildlife, instantly or over time. It also reduces our ability to enjoy our rivers - no one wants to paddle in pee!
‘Diffuse pollution’ also occurs as pollution is washed into the river from large areas of land, such as farm fields close to rivers which may have had a pesticide applied to them.