Concerns have been raised by swimmers and surfers over the quality of UK waters due to the potential of sewage spillages. Activists from Surfers Against Sewage say they are receiving reports of “illegal spillages” almost every day and that this, in turn, is making swimmers and surfers ill. However, sewage can be degenerated by various industries like construction and agriculture, not just water firms. It is a growing concern, as people have been avoiding activities such as open-water swimming in areas like Langland Bay in Gower, Swansea, which has led to reports of fewer visitors in the area.
Howard Jones, a swimming group leader, said that people were getting ill, but it was challenging to determine the cause. Sally Howells, who travels from Cardiff to Gower to swim, has stated that she is now too frightened to go swimming due to the chance of contracting an infection. It is not just Sally having these concerns, as there have been reports of Rupert Miles, a keen swimmer, having a couple of bouts of but nasty gastric flu, which he believed was connected to his sea swimming.
Natural Resources Wales, which is responsible for monitoring water quality in the country, refused to comment on the situation. Welsh Water, which provides water services to most Welsh communities, has previously said that it is inevitable that untreated sewage will be discharged illegally due to its infrastructure’s extent and age. According to the firm’s statement, they are committed to investing £1.4bn in wastewater infrastructure by 2025 in partnership with regulators to reduce illegal discharges.
Activists from Surfers Against Sewage are calling for a change, citing the daily news of illegal spills, and asking for greater political co-operation. The UK Labour government insists that it is already taking steps towards cleaning up water pollution, while the Conservative party claims it is already punishing culprits. The Liberal Democrats hope to protect UK rivers and coastlines, while Reform UK-labeled itself a green party- and called for more rigorous regulation with heavy fines for polluters. Finally, the Green Party believes that only public ownership of water companies will prevent pollution
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