Sewage was dumped at Britain’s finest bathing spots greater than 2,000 instances final yr, new figures present.
Heaping but extra strain on water corporations to wash up their act, the info confirmed a staggering rise in sewage discharges close to Blue Flag seashores – up 55per cent on 2022.
The 5 worst affected seashores had been in Devon – with Seaton topping the checklist, the place South West Water discharged sewage from close by storm overflows 340 instances final yr.
Second worst was Exmouth, the place South West Water dumped sewage 214 instances final yr, over 1,984 hours.
Throughout England, there have been 2,328 sewage discharges – lasting over 17,174 hours – close to Blue Flag seashores final yr, in keeping with evaluation of Setting Company information by the Liberal Democrats.
Pictured: Bathers swim within the polluted River Wharfe in Ilkley on August 24, 2024 regardless of Yorkshire Water posting indicators advising in opposition to doing so
Swimmers are warned at River Wharfe in Ilkley not to enter the water
It represents a 55per cent enhance on 2022, when there have been 1,504 sewage discharges.
The Blue Flag standing is awarded to well-managed seashores with glorious water high quality and environmental training programmes.
However the findings increase fears of water air pollution for swimmers and wildlife, and comply with stories of individuals changing into sick after swimming and browsing off well-liked seashores.
The rise in discharges comes regardless of a rising clamour for motion to forestall air pollution throughout Britain’s waterways and seashores.
The Lib Dems referred to as on water corporations to cease pumping uncooked sewage onto Blue Flag standing seashores.
Tim Farron, the celebration’s atmosphere spokesman, mentioned: ‘This can be a nationwide scandal. Our prestigious Blue Flag standing seashores should be protected against foul sewage pumping. It’s time to save our seashores.
Soiled water, scum and river particles accumulate by an outlet pipe alongside the River Thames in Henley on Thames, Oxfordshire on August 17, 2024
Sewage within the River Misbourne at Chalfont St Giles, Buckinghamshire on February 24, 2024
An aerial view reveals the outfall into the River Thames, at Thames Water’s Crossness Sewage Therapy Works, in south east London on July 3, 2023
‘It’s really stunning to listen to stories of households changing into sick after taking a dip within the sea on vacation.
‘Profiteering and polluting water corporations have gotten away with it far too lengthy. Nonetheless at present they pay themselves huge bonuses and earnings, all while destroying our nation’s coastlines. Frankly, the entire thing stinks.
‘The brand new authorities should clamp down on this after years of Conservative authorities failure.’
In final month’s King’s Speech, Labour introduced plans to introduce a Water Invoice to enhance water high quality by strengthening regulation and growing accountability for water executives.
