Thousands expected to march through London to demand cleaner water

Thousands of people are set to march through central London to demand tougher measures to keep Britain’s rivers and seas clean.

A number of groups, including River Action, Greenpeace, Wildlife Trusts and British Rowing, will take to the streets as part of the campaign amid the UK’s growing water quality crisis.

On Sunday, as part of the Clean Water March, protesters will meet at the Albert Embankment before heading along the River Thames to a rally in Parliament Square.

Participants were asked to bring samples of the water they love and wear blue clothing to form a “massive human river” at the march.

The event is expected to be attended by environmental activist and singer Fergal Sharkey, TV presenter Chris Packham and adventurer Bear Grylls.

The campaign will call for an immediate, comprehensive review of regulator Ofwat and the Environment Agency, stronger enforcement of existing water pollution laws and regulations, and ensuring that all polluting industries invest in upgrading infrastructure, reducing water losses and leaks, and helping farmers to recovery. habitats.

The Water (Special Measures) Bill, introduced by the government in Parliament last month, will aim to give regulators powers to impose harsher penalties on water companies that harm the environment, including severe and automatic fines, bonus freezes and even two years’ imprisonment. sentences for intractable leaders.

A Water UK spokesman said: “The Clean Water March has the right to demand change and we support its aims. We agree that the system is not working. It’s too complicated, too slow, and doesn’t benefit people or the environment.

“No sewage spill will be tolerated and water companies want to invest a record £108 billion to ensure the future security of our water supply and stop sewage entering our rivers and seas.

“Ofwat has proposed reducing this by £20 billion. As a direct result, more housing will be blocked, the recovery of our rivers will be slower, and we will be unable to cope with the water shortages that we know are coming.

“We can’t put off upgrading and expanding vital infrastructure any longer and we need Ofwat to rethink its approach.”