March For Clean Water: November 2024
All we could see was blue. This November thousands of people, including Adur River Recovery staff, dressed in every shade of blue from turquoise to cerulean, and took to the streets of London to mobilise the March for Clean Water. A few poop-shaped placards, headbands and costumes peppered the bustling flow of blue marchers. Here was a movement demanding that the end of sewage pollution no longer be viewed as just a ‘pipe dream’. The event was a national gathering of over 130 organisations and thousands of individuals who were motivated into peaceful action against the declining water quality of our rivers, wetlands, reservoirs and seas.
Creating waves. The march began at Embankment and flowed round to Parliament square. Here, a rally of people met to listen to inspiring speakers and demonstrate spectacular works of art, music, and poetry. The passion for restoring the quality of our waterways was palpable as the blue brigade called the UK Government to action.
The Usual Suspects
‘Clean water’ was the key word here but what does that mean? Often sewage seeps to mind first when thinking of water pollution, but importantly, pharmaceuticals, heavy metals, plastic, agricultural runoff, urban runoff, climate change, over-abstraction and habitat destruction all play a critical role in sending our national water quality ‘down the drain’.
This breathtaking whale made from recycled plastic by truthaboutplastic.org drew lots of attention.
Coliforms contaminate the Adur. Just like almost all of our rivers and coastlines, the River Adur is threatened by pollution and water quality degradation. Bacteriological surveys regularly reveal concerningly high coliform counts. Coliforms are a group of bacteria that can cause disease and digestive issues. ‘Poor’ water quality is indicated by counts above 1,000 coliforms per 100ml. In fact, a count of 10,000 was recorded at the Old Tollbridge in 2023, whilst 5 out of 11 of the months monitored in 2024 revealed 1000-6000 coliforms per 100ml.
The view of precious mudflat habitat from the Old Toll Bridge, Shoreham.
Why Does It Matter?
The cost of water quality degradation is far greater than a few nefarious deposits floating down a polluted river. Pollution is a silent and stealthy killer. Ignoring these invisible issues will cost us freshwater and marine biodiversity, encourage eutrophication, disrupt ecosystems, increase waterborne diseases and pose recreational hazards for swimmers, surfers, anglers – you name it. Not only that, the financial cost doesn’t run cheap either. Water cleanups and treatments will take significant investments, whilst the knock-on effects of decreased tourism, recreational use and landings for fishermen will affect businesses and livelihoods too.
An excellent placard from Adur River Recovery Project Manager Mel.
The Demands
REFORM. ENFORCE. RESTORE. The March for Clean Water had three main demands for the Government:
Reform regulation and stop any industry knowingly and wantonly polluting our waters for profit.
Enforce the law through upholding and enforcing existing laws and regulations in place to secure water quality.
Stop pollution for profit by ensuring all polluting industries invest immediately in upgrading water quality, reducing water wastage and leakage, helping farmers restore habitats and increasing efficient water use everywhere.
The march harnessed the passion and motivation of thousands of people to make these demands, with the goal of persuading the government to see these through by ending pollution and restoring rivers, waterways, seas, and reservoirs to full health by 2030.
Clean, healthy and abundant water is a basic right for all people.
River Adur Water Quality
Clean water, clear future. Adur River Recovery recognises the momentous importance of water quality. Improving the water quality of the Adur is one of our four main project aims.
The Adur plays its’ part. Since the announcement of the Government Water Bill, The Rivers Trust have outlined key steps to improving water quality. Many of these are core objectives of the Adur River Recovery Project, including ‘boosting water-friendly farming’ through strengthening flood defences and mitigating agricultural runoff.
Pulling the plug on pollution. Slowing the flow of water to retain pollutants in vegetation and restored wetlands are just a few other ways we will improve the quality of the River Adur. We are also working with local water companies to advise and discuss the best steps to manage and reduce wastewater pollution. In addition, our River Recovery Dog project will help galvanise individuals to reduce patch pollution in sensitive habitats, by encouraging wildlife-friendly dog-walking.
Wetland restoration is one piece in the puzzle of water quality restoration.
The Fight Flows On…
It is hard not to be inspired when surrounded by thousands of watercoloured activists, swimmers, walkers, anglers, bird-watchers, students, retirees, parents, grandparents and children, artists, councils, charities, NGOs and so many more uniting to demand an end to our crisis of clean water. For now, we continue our work, keep connecting, keep spreading the word, and keep pushing for change.
A breathtaking work of interactive art captures the imagination of the crowd at Parliament Square.