Water Quality
WE DEMAND AN END TO SEWAGE DISCHARGE INTO UK BATHING WATERS BY 2030
WHAT IS THE CAUSE?
Despite the proven risks to people and the environment, sewage and diffuse pollution events are largely being ignored by regulators and water companies are failing to invest in improving infrastructure.
The UK’s sewerage system is unfit for purpose and cannot cope with the pressures of increasing population, urbanisation and changing weather patterns – water company infrastructure investments have failed to protect the environment and recreational water users. Instead, they rely upon 17,684 licensed sewer overflows to routinely discharge raw sewage into rivers and the ocean.
Financial penalties are too easily built into the operating costs of water companies and don’t reflect the true environmental damage caused by the systematic discharging of untreated sewage. Additionally, weak enforcement of existing regulation from both underfunded and under resourced environment agencies means no effective driver is in place to ensure water companies change their behaviour.
The UK’s water quality testing regime, designed to protect water users and the environment, is set up to fail us. Evidence shows our water quality testing regime overlooks and ignores the worst pollution events in the country and misleads the public about the safety of the water.
Diffuse pollution from agriculture, roads, landfill and poor waste management exacerbates the problem with rivers and the ocean becoming contaminated with agricultural slurry, microplastics, car tyres and landfill sources.
What needs to change?
We are calling for an end to sewage pollution to guarantee safe seas, all year round. To ensure the health and wellbeing of the public, and help save the ocean, we need:
An enhanced water quality testing regime
- We need an enhanced, world leading testing regime which gives a true picture of the UKs water quality, tests for emerging threats to humans such as antibiotic resistant bacteria, viruses, microplastics, and the effects pollution is having on the environment.
- We need to increase the number of inland bathing and recreation sites designated as bathing waters. We want 200 inland bathing waters by 2030.
- We need accurate real-time water quality information available all-year round for all UK inland and coastal bathing areas as well as popular water usage areas.
World leading water quality legislation
- We need sewage legislation that sets ambitious and legally binding targets to end untreated sewage discharge in all bathing waters by 2030.
- We need well-funded environmental regulators to uphold world leading water quality standards and hold polluters to account
Nature based solutions to sewage pollution
- We need increased investment and associated targets for the restoration of natural habitats to reduce pressure on the water systems and help prevent sewer overflows.
Investment from Water companies and other systemic polluters
- We need water companies to invest urgently in their sewage infrastructure and end the use of sewage overflows.
- We need the agricultural industry to amend practices to improve water quality, and for government to provide effective support to encourage this.
- We need Water Companies to put the environment and public health ahead of private profit.
What is SAS doing?
We campaign for a clean ocean, rivers and lakes for wildlife and people.
Together with our network of ocean activists, supported by peer-reviewed evidence, we challenge the government and water companies to end sewage pollution in rivers and the ocean. We provide the only national real-time water quality service that protects all water users from pollution.
Get involved
Success Stories
SAS has been leading the way in the fight for better water quality and sewage free seas. Over the last 30 years we have made some great stride. Our successes include:
- 98.5% of the 625 designated bathing waters around the UK are now classified as excellent, good, or sufficient. This is a huge leap forward from when we started in 1990, when just 27% of bathing waters could meet the same standards
- The #EndSewagePollutionCampaign has had a huge impact on the recent Environment Act and has forced Government and Water Companies t take action. Read more here.
- Providing the UK’s first real-time water quality information service for over 370 locations across England, Scotland and Wales. The Safer Seas and Rivers Service allows us all to make informed decisions about the risk of entering the sea by providing alerts when both sewer overflows discharge untreated wastewater and when forecasting systems indicate water quality is temporarily reduced
Join the #EndSewagePollution Protests. 23rd April.
- News
Elsa Pullman
This year, industry and government must put their words into action and deliver on their commitments to tackle sewage pollution. And it’s up to us to keep the pressure on.
We are joining forces with end sewage pollution campaigners across the country to bring together the energy, anger and momentum from the last thirty years for a National Day of Action on Water Quality. 11 protests across the UK. Each targeting one water company: from Scottish Water, to Northern Ireland to South West Water. Thousands of people across the UK demanding action. Now.
The spotlight is on water companies. It’s time to #EndSewagePollution. So, grab your wetsuits, surfboards, placards and megaphones and find your regional protest here:
- Scottish Water protest
- Northumbrian Water protest
- Northern Ireland Water protest
- Yorkshire Water protest
- Wessex Water protest
- Anglian Water protest
- Southern Water protest
- South West Water protest
- Welsh Water protest
- Thames Water protest
- Severn Trent Protest
Why is it important?
The UK’s rivers and seas are in a critical state. Sewage pollution is being poured into our blues spaces at an alarming rate and water companies are getting away with it. In 2020 alone, sewage was released into the environment over 400,000 times equating to 3.1 million hours of discharge. It’s no surprise the UK is ranked last in Europe for bathing water quality. And only 14% of UK rivers currently meet ‘good ecological status’ with none passing chemical tests. This has gone far enough.
We’ve called on government to address this sewage scandal. We’ve reported the health risks this pollution puts on all water users. We’ve exposed the regulators and testing regime for ignoring the truth. Now we need to take our message to #EndSewagePollution straight to the doors of water company HQs.
What are we calling for?
We are calling for an end to sewage pollution into UK bathing waters by 2030. We want:
1. Stronger and bolder targets to end untreated sewage discharge
2. An enhanced testing regime which shows a true picture of the UKs water quality in real time
3. Nature restoration to reduce pressure & minimise impacts on sewage infrastructure
3. Increased investment from industry in infrastructure to prevent destructive practices
We want show water companies and the government that we are a unified movement that will not stand for this environmental destruction any longer.
GET INVOLVED HERE.
Read MoreRelated Content
- News
#EndSewagePollution: We need action not words
Since the Environment Act was passed last year government have been talking up the Strategic Policy Statement (the document government uses to tell the water... Read more
Henry Swithinbank
- News
Progress to clean up our coastlines grinding to a halt
New bathing waters classifications in England show progress to clean up our coastlines is stalling. The new figures show that 71% of bathing waters... Read more
Henry Swithinbank
- News
The Stench of the Sewage Scandal Grows Stronger
Today, we reveal yet further shocking evidence of the sewage pollution crisis plaguing the UK’s seas and rivers through our 2021 Water Quality Report. Our... Read more
Amy Slack
- News
People Power Toughens Up The Environment Act
After three long years of campaigning by Ocean Activists and NGOs, the Environment Bill finally received royal assent last week and has been made... Read more
Henry Swithinbank
- News
The Environment Bill mustn’t leave beaches and rivers in the shit
"The #SewageScandal has shown just how much public anger there is about water companies making huge profits whilst dumping vast amounts of sewage into our... Read more
Josh Harris
- News
Environment Bill Update – We lost a battle, but we can win the war.
This week the government had the opportunity with the Environment Bill to put it beyond all doubt that water companies have to act to... Read more
Henry Swithinbank
- News
The Next Step to #EndSewagePollution
As we enter the final stages of the Environment Bill’s passage through parliament we have one last chance to ensure the Bill helps #EndSewagePollution by... Read more
Henry Swithinbank
- News
Southern Water Slammed with Record Fine for Sewage Pollution
Today, Southern Water were fined a record £90 million for illegally dumping raw sewage into the sea across the south coast. The company wilfully... Read more
Amy Slack
- News
Rivers to be Included in the Safer Seas Service
Get your surfboards, paddle boards and swimsuits ready, as this Saturday marks the start of the official bathing season in England and Wales (yes, we’ve... Read more
Amy Slack
- News
Campaign Win: One Step Closer to Cleaner Seas
Over the last year surfers, swimmers, SUP’ers, ocean activists and river-lovers from around the country joined us in the call for water companies and the... Read more
Henry Swithinbank
- News
CAMPAIGN VICTORY: Water Companies commit to real-time data on sewage discharges year-round
In our 30th year campaigning for clean seas and building on the amazing work of dedicated SAS campaigners from the last three decades, we launched... Read more
Henry Swithinbank
- News
Sewage (Inland Waters) Bill delayed AGAIN
The Sewage (Inland Waters) Bill, which was due to be voted on by MPs in Parliament on the 22nd January, has unfortunately been delayed again.... Read more
Henry Swithinbank
- Campaigns
- News
- SAS news
Piping up to #EndSewagePollution: Petition delivered to Government
Following the continued emissions scandal exposed by our water quality report published last week, today, the 44,691 signature strong petition calling for an end to... Read more
Amy Slack
- Campaigns
- News
- SAS news
The Sewage Emissions Scandal Continues: SAS Water Quality Report Released
Released today, our 2020 water quality report reveals that water companies are still routinely discharging raw, untreated sewage into UK waters, polluting the environment, and... Read more
Amy Slack
- Campaigns
- Issues
- News
- SAS news
ASK YOUR MP TO PIPE UP TO #ENDSEWAGEPOLLUTION
UPDATE: The second reading of The Sewage (Inland Waters) Bill has been delayed. With lockdowns in place across the UK , parliamentary time is being understandably devoted... Read more
Elsa Pullman
- News
MP CALLS FOR NEW LAW TO #ENDSEWAGEPOLLUTION
UPDATE: The second reading of The Sewage (Inland Waters) Bill has been delayed. With lockdowns in place across the UK , parliamentary time is being understandably devoted... Read more
Henry Swithinbank
- Campaigns
- News
- SAS news
Safer Seas Service: Highly Commended For Digital Innovation Of The Year!
Safer Seas Service App has been highly commended for digital innovation of the year at the 2020 Third Sector Awards! We are super stoked that... Read more
Elsa Pullman
- Issues
- News
Water Companies Performance Deteriorates for 2nd Year Running
Last year, it was abundantly clear that the performance of water companies was unacceptable, but have they listened? Clearly not. Today, the Environment Agency... Read more
Amy Slack
- Campaigns
- Issues
- News
- SAS news
URGENT: Calling All South West Water Customers To #EndSewagePollution From The Inside
We are planning an exciting new campaign action to influence South West Water from the inside. As part of a new scheme, South West... Read more
Elsa Pullman
- Campaigns
- News
- SAS news
UK Fails to Meet Legally Binding Environmental Targets For Rivers
Today Defra have revealed that all rivers have failed to meet legally-binding pollution quality test with a woeful 14% meeting good ecological status – no... Read more
Charlotte Raffo
- Campaigns
- Issues
- News
Sewage Pollution Hits South West Coasts: TAKE ACTION through the Safer Seas Service
Today, we’ve seen heavy rainfall hit the South West resulting in a considerable number of sewage and pollution warning being issued through our Safer... Read more
Elsa Pullman
- Campaigns
- News
- SAS news
#EndSewagePollution: Petition launches for better water quality across the UK
Today, we’ve launched the #EndSewagePollution petition calling on the government to protect the health and well-being of the public and to help restore the rivers and... Read more
Amy Slack
- Campaigns
- News
What are the Risks of COVID-19 Transmission from Sewage Discharge?
As we go into a lockdown scenario, many of you will be looking to the Ocean for your daily dose of exercise and wellbeing. As... Read more
Amy Slack
- Campaigns
- News
ELECTION: #VoteForTheOcean – where do the parties stand on the ocean?
Party Manifestos - Environmental Pledges Want to know where the parties stand on the ocean? We’ve examined Brexit Party, Conservatives, Green Party of England and... Read more
Hugo Tagholm
- News
- SAS news
MP Proposes New Powers to Improve Water Quality
Today Scott Mann MP - member of the Protect Our Waves All-Party Parliamentary Group and Member of Parliament for North Cornwall - presented a Private Members... Read more
Amy Slack
- Campaigns
- News
Bathing Water classifications 2017
Results day for Bathing Waters in the UK always piques interest in water quality around the UK. Once again we are pleased to see that... Read more
Amy Slack
- Issues
- Media
- News
2017 Bathing Season Begins
The 2017 Bathing Season begins today, while the weather may suggest otherwise, the bathing season marks the start of the warmest time of year and... Read more
Amy Slack
- Campaigns
- News
Consultation On Greater Protection For More UK Beaches
Surfers Against Sewage (SAS) welcomes Defra’s consultations on designating eight new bathing waters in Cornwall and one in Bournemouth. Designated bathing water’s benefit from weekly... Read more
Hugo Tagholm
- Campaigns
- News
- SAS news
Surfers Against Sewage Welcomes Positive Water Quality Results
Surfers Against Sewage welcomes the latest water quality results for beaches around the UK. The dry summer coupled with infrastructure investment driven by the EU... Read more
Amy Slack
- Campaigns
- News
- SAS news
- —
MPs Support Sewage Free Seas
Surfers Against Sewage were in Westminster yesterday delivering a national call for Sewage Free Seas, supported by more than 13,000 members of the public, as... Read more
Hugo Tagholm
- Campaigns
- Media
- News
2016 Bathing Season Begins
Today (15th May 2016) is the official start of the 2016 Bathing Season in England and Wales (the Scottish and Northern Irish Bathing Seasons begin... Read more
Jack Middleton
- Campaigns
- Issues
- News
Save Staithes Water Quality!
One of the UK’s best waves also happens to be one of Europe’s worst bathing waters. Staithes, a small village on the North East coast,... Read more
Jack Middleton
- News
- SAS news
- SAS TV
Safer Seas Service Film
Surfers Against Sewage launches newly improved Safer Seas Service app providing vital real-time water quality alerts at even more beaches across England & Wales. Surfers... Read more
Jack Middleton
- Campaigns
- Media
- News
- —
Safer Seas For Everyone!
Surfers Against Sewage launches newly improved Safer Seas Service app providing vital real-time water quality alerts at even more beaches across England & Wales. As... Read more
Jack Middleton
- Campaigns
- SAS news
TAKE ACTION! Water User Health Survey
SAS and scientists from Exeter Medical School are making a final appeal for people to take part in research that will shed light on the health effects... Read more
Jack Middleton
- Campaigns
- Media
- SAS news
Surfers At Risk From Antibiotic Resistant Bacteria
New research published this week estimates over 6.3 million water sports sessions, such as swimming or surfing, resulted in one type of antibiotic resistant bacteria... Read more
Jack Middleton
- Campaigns
- —
3rd Wave of Health Survey Needs Your Support
We are renewing an appeal for people to take part in research that will shed light on the health effects of marine pollution. A team of... Read more
Jack Middleton
- Campaigns
Protecting What We Love – the fight for clean water, clean beaches & clean waves for everyone
By Hugo Tagholm, Chief Executive, Surfers Against Sewage. Surfers Against Sewage has always been driven by individuals who love and use the sea, whose lives... Read more
Franka Fueller
- Campaigns
Take Part – Study into Health Impacts of Marine Pollution
Surfers Against Sewage has teamed up with the European Centre for the Environment & Human Health (Exeter University Medical School) to produce a study to... Read more
Emily van de Geer
- Campaigns
Nationwide sewage pollution warning service launched
The Sewage Alert Service app is another innovative breakthrough in the first and only national service to inform beach users, in real time, when untreated... Read more
Hugo Tagholm
- Issues
Calling cold water surfers
Surfers believe beach water quality should be protected for everyone for more of the year. Surfers Against Sewage (SAS) is calling on the UK surfing... Read more
Hugo Tagholm
- Campaigns
Protect Our Beaches, Don’t Pour Fats, Oils and Grease down the sink
Christmas is almost here and millions of people will soon be preparing the biggest roast dinner of the year. Unfortunately, our beaches can suffer as... Read more
Emily van de Geer
- Issues
Water quality results worst in a decade
This year’s alarming bathing water results expose 35 UK beaches failing to meet out-dated water quality and public health standards. 2012’s wet summer has shown... Read more
Emily van de Geer
- Issues
Almost 200 UK beaches offer SAS’s Sewage Alert Service
The Sewage Alert Service is turning the tide on the management of raw sewage discharges and real time information provided to the public. SAS has... Read more
Emily van de Geer
- Issues
SAS send over 37,000 free real time sewage alert texts
During this year’s bathing season Surfers Against Sewage (SAS) have sent out 37,056 free, real time text alerts when raw sewage has been discharged from... Read more
Emily van de Geer
- Campaigns
Surfers remind the water industry that year round sewage treatment is utterly vital
Clean water campaigners Surfers Against Sewage (SAS) were on hand to greet delegates at the 4th European Water and Wastewater Management Conference in Leeds, with... Read more
Emily van de Geer
- Issues
SAS inform water users, it’s safe to go back in, for now…
Surfers Against Sewage (SAS) campaigners are today relieved to announce that the Ultra Violet (UV) treatment that renders sewage effluent clean and safe, has finally... Read more
Emily van de Geer
- Campaigns
SAS Celebrate The Inclusion Of Recreational Water Users In The Scottish Marine Bill
Today clean water campaigners Surfers Against Sewage (SAS) are celebrating the Scottish Government recognising recreational water users' need for a voice on Regional Planning Partnerships... Read more
Emily van de Geer
- Campaigns
Do you Love Your Beach?
Surfers Against Sewage fighting for first time EU bathing water designation at Portballintrae Surfers Against Sewage (SAS) campaigners and local surfers hand delivered a petition... Read more
Emily van de Geer
- SAS TV
Panorama: Britain’s Dirty Beaches
SAS and BBC's Panorama expose CSOs discharging raw sewage. Sand, sea and sewage. With the quality of bathing water on the UK's beaches in decline,... Read more
SAS
- SAS TV
Panorama: Britain’s Dirty Beaches
SAS and BBC's Panorama expose CSOs discharging raw sewage. This is part 2. Watch parts 1 and 3 of the documentary. Read more
SAS
- SAS TV
Panorama: Britain’s Dirty Beaches
SAS and BBC's Panorama expose CSOs discharging raw sewage. This is part 3. Watch parts 1 and 2 of the documentary. Read more
SAS
- Campaigns
Call for year-round protection for Pease Bay surfers
This year, Surfers Against Sewage (SAS) asked all UK water companies if they had any plans to reduce their sewage treatment outside the bathing season... Read more
Emily van de Geer
- Campaigns
Surfers Against Sewage call on the Prime Minister to implement a National Marine Litter Strategy
Clean water campaigners from Surfers Against Sewage (SAS) believe that the UK Government urgently needs a National Marine Litter Strategy to tackle the worsening crisis... Read more
Emily van de Geer
- Campaigns
Protect the Oceans, go Phosphate Free with SAS on World Water Day
Clean water campaigners from Surfers Against Sewage (SAS) will get on their giant soapbox today to launch SAS's new Go Phosphate Free' campaign ahead of... Read more
Emily van de Geer
- Campaigns
Campaign Success For Surfers Against Sewage, Great News For Guernsey’s Water Users
Clean water campaigners Surfers Against Sewage (SAS) are celebrating a major campaign victory as the States of Guernsey finally committed to full sewage treatment. This... Read more
Emily van de Geer
- Campaigns
Deputies given water quality reminder by surfers
With the States of Guernsey meeting on Wednesday to decide the future of wastewater charges, Surfers Against Sewage (SAS) campaigners are reminding Deputies that last... Read more
Emily van de Geer
- Campaigns
Surfers support a wastewater charge in Guernsey
Clean water campaigners Surfers Against Sewage (SAS) are supporting the Public Services Department proposal for first time wastewater charges to be introduced in Guernsey. The... Read more
Emily van de Geer
- SAS TV
Surfalot Holmes & the sinister lolly stick
Surfalot Holmes and Dr Waverider Watson lend their powers of deduction to help solve the case of the sinister lolly sticks and find themselves championing... Read more
SAS