PRIVATE water companies have been accused of treating the UK’s countryside ‘as a toilet’ as new figures reveal Plymouth Sound was hit with 11,436 hours of sewage in 2022.
Greenpeace’s investigative unit Unearthed has found almost 1,200 sewage overflow pipes discharged in England and Wales’ most sensitive wildlife habitats for more than 300,000 hours last year. This includes 12,981 hours by Wessex Water and 28,208 hours by South West Water (SWW).
The figures reveal Plymouth Sound and Estuary, which straddles the border between Devon and Cornwall, received a total of 11,436 hours of sewage last year.
South West Water says reducing the use of storm overflows is one of its ‘main priorities’. And a spokesperson revealed £20m of investment has been earmarked to ‘improve bathing water quality’ at Plymouth Hoe.
But Megan Corton Scott, political campaigner for Greenpeace UK, says private water companies ‘treat our countryside as a toilet’ and claimed firms are putting profit above the environment.
She said: “These are the casualty figures from a war which nature is losing, badly. Private water companies treat our countryside as a toilet, and their vandalism doesn’t stop at some of our most sensitive conservation areas. Beloved lakes, beaches and rivers, rare wildlife habitats, sites of special scientific interest are being sacrificed so water company bosses and shareholders can continue to reap huge profits.
Esta historia es de la edición August 03, 2023 de The Herald.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor ? Conectar
Esta historia es de la edición August 03, 2023 de The Herald.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor? Conectar
Ford doubt for England's autumn Tests
RUGBY UNION England fly-half George Ford suffered a torn thigh muscle during Sale's 45-26 Gallagher Premiership defeat to Saracens.
Argyle acquit themselves well but pay the penalty in narrow loss to Burnley
WAYNE Rooney described as 'a little bit harsh' the penalty from which Burnley scored the goal to beat his Plymouth Argyle side 1-0 at Turf Moor.
Victorious Kellond keen to pursue Boxing career
PLYMOUTH teenager Mackenzie Kellond took the Western Counties Boxing Championship last weekend after he gave his opponent a standing eight count with just seconds to spare in Cheltenham.
Jones facing a pitch battle at World Cup
AMY Jones admits the conditions at the Women's T20 World Cup will challenge her as a wicketkeeper.
Sir Keir 'wants to make Brexit work'
SIR Keir Starmer promised a \"pragmatic, sensible\" approach to the UK-EU relationship in order to \"make Brexit work\", as he held talks in Brussels yesterday.
Taxi driver in fear after attack
PASSENGERS ALLEDGEDLY ASSAULTED DRIVER AND STOLE CASH
Crane needed as lorry gets stuck in lane
LORRY WAS THERE FOR THREE DAYS
Car park spots blocked over erosion worry
A POPULAR beauty spot near Plymouth has lost a number of parking spaces after concerns were raised about erosion.
Plastic fantastic in school contest
CONTEST COULD NET SCHOOL A BRAND NEW PLAYGROUND
AI cameras set to detect A386 traffic offences
SEATBELT AND MOBILE PHONE USERS BEWARE