Yorkshire Water is investing £1.4m in an initiative to reduce the amount of waste it discharges into the River Wharfe. Feargal Sharkey, a clean water campaigner, slammed the move, calling it “measly”. Yorkshire Water defended the investment, stating it was part of a £180m project targeting storm overflow discharges. The company plans to invest a further £58m in the area. Sharkey voiced his frustration with the company when addressing members of the Ilkley Clean River Group.
Sharkey, a former singer, is a self-proclaimed keen fisherman and critic of utility companies that discharge sewage into waterways. He was impressed with the Ilkley Clean River Group and praised their “sheer brilliance and capability”. Sharkey highlighted the decline of grayling populations in the River Wharfe and other rivers across the UK as an indication of the dire state of water quality.
Nicola Shaw, Yorkshire Water’s CEO, assured customers that they will not have to pay twice for the work the company is doing to improve water quality. Becky Malby, chair of the Ilkley Clean River Group, expressed her delight at Sharkey’s support and praised his effectiveness at holding water companies to account.
While Sharkey’s criticism may seem harsh, investing in cleaner water is vital for our environment and our health. Companies like Yorkshire Water must do all they can to tackle sewage discharges and other forms of water pollution. The public must demand accountability and transparency from these companies, ensuring they invest enough money and resources to make a real difference
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