Reducing sewage pollution in UK waters must be a “public health priority,” said England’s chief medical officer, Sir Chris Whitty.
Sir Chris supported a report by the Royal Academy of Engineering (RAE) on reducing sewage spills. He stated, “Minimizing human faecal organisms in freshwater is a public health priority as well as an environmental one.”
He emphasized the importance of considering human health when assessing water quality. His remarks followed an incident where households in Devon had to boil drinking water due to a waterborne parasite. Additionally, earlier this year, millions of liters of raw sewage were reportedly pumped into Windermere, England’s largest lake.
Public frustration with sewage pollution is growing. Thousands of campaigners demonstrated at beaches last weekend to mark the official start of the swimming season.
The RAE report urged the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs to improve monitoring of rivers, lakes, and coastal waters. It also called for better public warnings about health risks when waters are polluted.
The report recommended that water companies reduce sewage releases by building storage tanks, separate sewers, and sustainable drainage systems. It also advised using technologies like ultraviolet light for disinfection and proactive maintenance of pipe networks.
The academy suggested incentivizing the removal of impervious surfaces, such as patios and paved gardens, in urban areas. This would allow more water to be absorbed into the ground instead of running into sewage pipes and causing overflows.
Sir Chris warned that even treated sewage might still contain harmful bacteria and viruses. He noted that sewage spills during heavy rain are only part of the problem. Human faecal organisms can remain in treated water and become concentrated when water levels are low.
He highlighted that low river levels, often ideal for swimming and paddling, can have higher concentrations of faecal organisms. This poses a risk to public health.
Although researchers admitted there is limited evidence linking specific wastewater discharges to health incidents, they stressed the known risks of exposure to high concentrations of faecal organisms.
“The principal reason for the sewerage system is to protect public health,” Whitty said.
