Recent months have seen fresh concerns over a wave of discharges of untreated raw sewage in the UK. In early September, the Safer Seas and Rivers Service, which is run by the charity Surfers Against Sewage, issued pollution warnings for more than 100 beaches. Rising awareness of these events has led to public anger about the situation. But why is this happening now, and what can be done about it?
Unlike some other countries, which have split drainage systems for rainfall and sewage, the UK has a combined system that accepts both. It's managed by water and sewage companies, who, if all is well, biologically treat the sewage before discharging it into the environment. But under extreme circumstances, such as exceptionally high rainfall, these companies are allowed to discharge untreated sewage. This is to avoid capacity being reached and sewage coming back into people's homes and businesses, says Dr Sarah Purnell, a researcher in aquatic environment health at the University of Brighton.
The legal model works relatively well when these events happen infrequently, notes Purnell. And since the sewage is mixed with stormwater on these occasions, it should be highly diluted.
The problem is that these legal discharges are happening far more than many people realised and may be more concentrated. Michelle Walker, technical director of The Rivers Trust, says overflows of untreated sewage are being routinely used even when it hasn't been raining.
Bu hikaye BBC Science Focus dergisinin October 2022 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Giriş Yap
Bu hikaye BBC Science Focus dergisinin October 2022 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Giriş Yap
CHANGE THE (BODY) CLOCKS
Why the end of British Summer Time can be a wake-up call for our circadian health
ARE OCTOPUSES SENTIENT?
If you've watched the Netflix documentary My Octopus Teacher or been lucky enough to encounter an octopus in the wild, you'll know there's something special about them.
THE MEXICAN MOLE LIZARD
Imagine what would happen if an earthworm, a lizard, a snake and a mole went on a night out, had too much too much tequila and let their guard down.
Do we finally know how the Egyptian Pyramids were built?
A number of breakthrough studies are beginning to paint a picture of how these wonders of the world were built, but much of the story still remains a mystery...
ECLIPSES ON DEMAND
Inside an unassuming building, behind a damp car park in Antwerp, Belgium, scientists are teaching two spacecraft to be dance partners for a performance that will take place in front of the Sun.
How light's 'secret code' reveals the story of the cosmos
The starlight we can see tells us alot about the Universe, but it's the parts we can't see that contain the biggest revelations
An artificial heart inspired by plumbing
Mechanical circulation could revolutionise transplant design and reduce waiting lists
Major Stonehenge discovery deepens mystery around ancient monument
New findings suggest a key six-tonne stone came from over 450 miles north of the circle
THE UNEXPECTED RETURN OF PNEUMATIC TUBES
Once a pioneering technology that revolutionised deliveries, pneumatic tubes had all but disappeared. Now they're back and enjoying a resurgence
LIVING FOSSILS
FOR SOME CREATURES ALIVE TODAY TIME HAS ALMOST STOOD STILL. MEET THE 'LIVING FOSSILS' THAT GIVE US A GLIMPSE INTO LIFE IN THE DISTANT PAST