Letter: Rivers still grubby
September 1st, 2011 Posted by adminThere is still a lot of work needed to tackle agricultural and urban diffuse pollution, and over-abstraction of water
Sir,
According to the latest report from the Environment Agency (Rivers leap out of their grubby past, Aug 30) rivers across the UK are the healthiest they have been in 20 years and wildlife appears to be flourishing along many previously struggling rivers. This is very welcome news. However, it is also true that, according to European water quality standards, only a quarter of all rivers in the UK are healthy enough to support thriving ecosystems.
While there has been some great work done to tackle issues such as industrial pollution, there is still a lot of work needed to tackle agricultural and urban diffuse pollution, and over-abstraction of water. While the Environment Agency has highlighted signs of progress in some rivers these remain atypical, with species including salmon and eels struggling in the face of low river flows, high levels of pollution and invasive species.
To restore rivers to their former glory, we need to effectively safeguard local rivers and river wildlife from future pressures, by ensuring that a clear timeline is outlined for reforms to the current abstraction regime. We also need to ensure that more effective enforcement of environmental regulations is implemented to reduce the damage caused by diffuse pollution.
Dr Rose Timlett
Freshwater Programme Manager, WWF-UK, On behalf of Our Rivers
Letter to ‘The Times’ 01/09/11
Totally agree – I was gobsmacked when I read the report in the Telegraph. They used the Wandle as a shining example – wasn’t that subject to a fish kill recently at the EA’s own hands?
Keep up the pressure!
Matt
Wow – only 25% healthy enough to support thriving ecosystems. I thought it was more than that.
I will still keep on collecting litter from the rivers I paddle on to dispose of when I get home. It may seem feeble, but I guess every little helps. I’ve pulled out traffic cones, car wheels, tyres and even a wheelbarrow as well as the floating detritus left after picnics and drinking parties. Why can’t folk take their trash home with them, and use public recycling facilities?
My email to Ms. Coffey MP. On 2st September 2011
We must all feel some satisfaction that our rivers and waterways are cleaner than they were a decade ago but I urge that we do not become complacent and allow standards to fall as we accommodate rising numbers in house building in the countryside.
Whilst most of the pollution (70%?) comes from run off of fertilizers this is one area which needs to be tackled now. Neither are the rising costs of pesticides and herbicides sufficient on their own to curtail the damage which is still being done to our wildlife. Most people seem oblivious to the fact that the rank growth is producing high levels of dangerous methane gas and most of our East Anglian rivers have become badly silted.
I would suggest that farm subsidies be linked to crops grown and acreage under cultivation – in a positive way to make a real difference.
This has only become possible through satellite and GPS technology which permits precise amounts to be applied to specific areas.
Surely our government has precedence over some EU directives?
Yours faithfully,
T.F.Taylor – Suffolk constituent
ps. Sometimes ‘snail mail’ or ‘face-to-face’ meeting is much to be preferred to using email! Please advise.
Jesmond Dene was given to the people of Tyneside by Lord Armstrong. The Ouseburn through it, has a lovely waterfall and nesting Kingfishers. However, so many householders in Gosforth and the upper reaches, have plumbed their washing machines and dishwashers into the storm-drains, rather than the foulwater sewers, that when it rains the stream is flushed with detergents. Most people have no idea what they have done or what damage it is doing.