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101 news articles

Sewage pollution at edge of waterway

Storm Overflows Reduction Plan lacks urgency — our rivers deserve better

  • Rebecca Duncan
Government today announced the start of consultation on its Storm Overflows Discharge Reduction Plan (SODRP). The plan from Defra sets out targets for water companies to reduce the harm caused by pollution from combined sewer (or storm) overflows, meeting the objective set in the Environment Act last year.

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River pollution

New report lifts lid on chronic pollution of our rivers

  • Emily Cooper
Following the release of the Water Quality in Rivers report, The Rivers Trust demands that the government take urgent action to protect the UK’s rivers.

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Sewer overflow in river

With sewage pollution, the government nearly met its Waterloo. Now this historic Act must turn to action

  • Rebecca Duncan
Op Ed by Christine Colvin, Director for Partnerships & Communications

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A man testing water quality using sampling kit

The Rivers Trust are part of a winning share of £36m for cutting-edge water sector innovation

  • Rebecca Duncan
The Rivers Trust are part of a collaborative proposal, named CaSTCo., which has won £7.1m in Ofwat’s first Water Breakthrough Challenge to implement a national framework for a catchment monitoring cooperative, using citizen science and standardised approaches to data collection and management.

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Underwater photo with hand reaching towards reeds in the water

State of Our Rivers will be won or lost on rivers — and right now, we’re losing.

  • Jayne Mann
Our State of Rivers report will help the public understand the health of their river like never before, on both a national and local scale.

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Sewage outfall blocked by wet wipes leading into river

Environment Bill Amendments Passed by Lords – a great first step in strengthening environmental legislation

  • Rebecca Duncan
Last night (Monday 13th September) an amendment to the environment bill was passed in the House of Lords, to place a new duty on water companies and the government take all reasonable steps to ensure untreated sewage is not discharged from storm overflows and requires that they progressively reduce the harm caused by these discharges.

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Right to left: Georgia, Martha, and Sally on their bikes ready to cycle from Land's End to Glasgow

Guest blog: Lands End to Glasgow with Martha, Sally, and Georgia

  • Rebecca Duncan
Follow Martha, Sally, and Georgia as they cycle from Land’s End to Glasgow raising money and awareness for The Rivers Trust.

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Pond with lily pads

5 Easy Ways to Revive Your River: Support nature-based solutions

  • Rebecca Duncan
If we’re going to solve our twin crises of climate change and nature degradation, we need to work with nature and not against it. In particular, nature-based solutions can help to improve water quality and restore habitats for the wildlife that call them home.

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Photo of common kingfisher flying above river

Tabled amendments to Environment Bill provide lifeline for rivers

  • Rebecca Duncan
Several amendments to the Environment Bill have been tabled today which, if successful, represent a significant victory for river health, and indeed river users.

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Swimmers in the water at Bristol Harbour as part of a floating protest

River Revival: a harbour fit to swim in?

  • Rebecca Duncan
#SwimBristolHarbour is a new campaign to make Bristol Harbour a designated bathing water, and it’s being spearheaded by wild swimming campaigner Johnny Palmer.

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