Overview

• A poll revealed that 33% of Britons would rather swim with sharks than in sewage-contaminated waters, highlighting public disgust over water pollution.
• Traditional festive swims across the UK, including events in Kent and Cornwall, have been canceled due to high levels of sewage and E.coli contamination.
• In 2023, popular swimming spots experienced 3,799 sewage discharges lasting over 24,000 hours, with areas like Morecambe Bay and Windermere among the hardest hit.
• The Labour Government has introduced the Water (Special Measures) Bill, aiming to ban bonuses for polluting water company executives and strengthen enforcement powers.
• Environmental groups and political parties are calling for stricter regulations and increased accountability for water companies to restore clean waterways.