How to fix water pollution in the UK

29th August 2024

Across the UK, our waterways are in crisis. Pollution from farming, sewage, industrial and domestic waste, and more, is turning our rivers toxic – harming people and wildlife. The question of how to fix water pollution is an urgent one that needs answering if we have any hope of restoring our freshwater.

Over 7-10 June, 2,630 citizen scientists across the UK tested the health of rivers, lakes, streams, ponds and canals, with a focus on nutrient pollution. Our ‘Great UK WaterBlitz’ was the first of its kind, with volunteers collecting data about their local freshwater.

Of the 1,380 sites they measured, 75% showed poor water quality. So, what can we do to fix our rivers? Our Director of Science & Policy, Dr Sasha Woods, shares Earthwatch’s view on how to best approach this challenge.

How to fix water pollution?

There is ongoing debate about the causes of the poor ecological state of many rivers and freshwater bodies in the UK. Pollution sources are complex and interconnected, including sewage discharge, agriculture, and urban surface run-off.

Our rivers are being put under pressure by historical and current intensive farming practices. On top of this, outdated and inadequate sewage treatment works are pushing our waterways to the brink.

There is, therefore, a pressing need for improvements to wastewater treatment processes and reductions in agricultural pollution. This is vital to reduce the threat to our vulnerable freshwater bodies and the wildlife that call them home.

So, how to fix water pollution in the UK? At Earthwatch Europe we believe that there are five key areas that Government and stakeholders need to address to create a national strategy for the future health of freshwater.

1. Enforce the law
2. Make pollution unprofitable
3. Focus targets
4. Embrace nature-based solutions
5. Empower and engage communities

Enforce the law

Earthwatch wants to see more regular and rigorous environmental inspections of water treatment operations and harsher penalties for non-compliance.

To support this, we want to see the regulatory bodies properly funded, resourced, and empowered to take action to protect the environment.

Make pollution unprofitable

Water companies in the UK have faced substantial criticism for prioritising shareholder dividends over essential environmental investments. We call for a radical shift to make pollution unprofitable to incentivise water companies to dramatically reduce their negative effect on our freshwater.

Focus targets

Earthwatch believes investments should prioritise ecologically sensitive areas like protected nature sites, chalk streams, and upper river reaches. These areas are critical for wildlife and particularly susceptible to nutrient pollution.

By directing resources here, it will ensure that the reductions in pollution are more effective. This approach would use the Environmental Land Management (ELM) scheme.

This scheme aims to support the rural economy while achieving the goals of the 25 Year Environment Plan and a commitment to net zero carbon emissions by 2050. As a result, it would help to achieve the best outcomes for the environment and public funds.

Embrace nature-based solutions

Nature-based solutions (NbS) address societal challenges through actions to protect, sustainably manage, and restore natural and modified ecosystems, benefiting both people and nature.

For example, sustainable drainage systems, rain gardens, treatment wetlands, natural buffers, and basin restoration initiatives can help freshwater ecosystems whilst providing other benefits.

Multiple wetlands, or ‘wetland complexes’ can be five times better at reducing nitrate than land-based nitrogen mitigation strategies. By using NbS, we can reduce pollution, improve water quality, and enhance flood management.

We also urge the Government to roll out the ELMs with sufficient funding and at scale, rewarding farmers for practices that significantly reduce pollution; including the use of NbS.

Farmers and agricultural organisations can join nature-friendly initiatives, such as Earthwatch Europe’s Farming with Nature programme. We support farmers in their efforts towards reducing nitrogen and phosphate run-offs.

Our approach empowers farmers to monitor and reduce their impact by building on their existing knowledge through a peer-learning process and working with nature.

By encouraging collaboration between banks and financial institutions, suppliers, growers and agrifood companies, we can create and fund solutions together.

Empower and engage communities

Through the Great UK WaterBlitz and FreshWater Watch, our citizen scientists have collected a robust dataset which complements findings of the Environment Agency.

We urge authorities to recognise and integrate citizen science into their freshwater monitoring frameworks. This will not only validate the efforts of engaged citizens but also vastly expand the amount of data. As a result, more comprehensive and effective water management strategies can be developed.

Supporting initiatives like the Great UK WaterBlitz and FreshWater Watch empowers communities, encourages environmental stewardship, and helps achieve cleaner, healthier water bodies for everyone.

We’re fighting for healthy fresh water

We are exploring how to fix water pollution along with partners and local communities. Our FreshWater Watch programme is a global citizen science initiative where community groups are trained to monitor and protect their local rivers, lakes and freshwater bodies.

Citizen scientists use our FreshWater Watch test kit to measure nutrient pollution and record basic visual observations of their chosen local waterbody. These include surrounding land use, pollution sources, and algae.

Find out more about how and why we test for nutrient pollution in our water test kit blog.

How can you help?

There are many things you can do at home to help support our waterways:

• Only put the three Ps (pee, poo, and paper) down the toilet. Do not flush wet wipes or medication.
• Don’t pour fats, oils, and grease or cleaning chemicals, paints, and solvents down the sink. Remember, if it goes down the sink, it ends up in your drink!
• Reduce how much plastic you use and help prevent plastic entering waterways by taking part in litter picks.
• Use phosphate-free soaps and detergents.
• Don’t use herbicides or pesticides in your garden, if you have one (they can end up washing into rivers).
• Remove paved or tarmac areas and replace with natural grass or permeable surfaces and native plants.
• Install a water butt to collect excess rainfall from your drainpipes. Use it to water your plants!
• If you have space, plant trees and shrubs in your garden.

Our rivers and freshwater habitats are at crisis point and we need urgent action. Join the Great UK WaterBlitz to fight for healthy freshwater next Spring!

Help us build a national picture of water quality by testing the quality of your local river, stream or lake during Spring 2025. Sign up to register your interest in taking part.