Thousands took to the streets of central London on Sunday, demanding urgent action to clean up the UK’s rivers and seas. The March for Clean Water, endorsed by groups like Greenpeace, the Wildlife Trusts, and British Rowing, saw around 15,000 people dressed in blue and carrying water samples from cherished local sources.
Activists, including musician Feargal Sharkey and comedian Paul Whitehouse, joined the demonstration. “Who likes dirty rivers? Not I,” said Whitehouse, emphasising the threat to rivers from agricultural runoff and water company pollution.
Protesters are calling for stricter enforcement against water companies that breach pollution rules and for a comprehensive review of regulators Ofwat and the Environment Agency. Many held signs with slogans like “tides not turds” and “cut the crap,” expressing frustration at the state of Britain’s waterways since water company privatisation.
The new Labour government has promised stronger penalties for polluting water companies, including potential prison sentences. Endurance swimmer and ocean advocate Lewis Pugh joined the march, highlighting how polluted rivers also harm oceans.
Water UK, representing the industry, admitted the system needs reform and urged Ofwat to allow faster infrastructure upgrades.
Meanwhile, in Northern Ireland, around 100 protesters gathered in Belfast, where swimmer Siobhan Keegan shared concerns about swimming in Lough Neagh due to bacterial buildup. “If we don’t act now, it’ll be too late for future generations,” she warned.
