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These are just some of the incredible campaigners fighting for their waterways. And at\u00a0Surfers Against Sewage<\/a>, we have the privilege of working with many, many more. Currently, we support 70 communities across the UK campaigning for their local bathing water.<\/p>\n These campaigners are getting their swim spots\u00a0officially designated as Bathing Waters<\/a>, so they\u2019re monitored for pollution and protected by legislation. So what keeps them going? How do they keep diving in when we know just how polluted our inland waters are?<\/p>\n Why our inland waterways matter<\/strong><\/p>\n To me, it\u2019s because river swimming feels sacred. There\u2019s no hectic waves to contend with, no salty eyes or sandy toes. Duck your head under and it\u2019s quiet and cool, the water flowing around you and on and on and on. There\u2019s a reassurance in this rhythm, a grounding in the natural world that feels utterly unique.\u00a0(If you haven\u2019t tried wild swimming, I can\u2019t recommend it enough. Here\u2019s a good place to start.)<\/a><\/p>\n I\u2019m not alone in this. Millions of us take to the UK\u2019s rivers, streams, lakes, and estuaries every year. These places are community hubs, whether it\u2019s swim groups taking daily dips or families adorned with paddleboards and rubber rings. Many waters have a flock of\u00a0Bluetits<\/a>\u00a0\u2013 not the birds, but the wild swimming community that has flourished across the UK.<\/p>\n The mental health benefits of wild swimming are staggering.\u00a0Swim England\u2019s Wild Swim project<\/a>\u00a0tracked the impact of cold water swimming on people with severe anxiety and depression. After six months, their happiness increased by 20%, and anxiety decreased by 18%. The threats our rivers face<\/strong><\/p>\n I\u2019ll keep this bit brief-ish, because it\u2019s pretty grim. First off, there\u2019s the sewage. And since stats don\u2019t lie, here\u2019s a horrific one:<\/p>\n In 2023, water companies poured sewage into our rivers for a collective\u00a04,513,992 hours<\/a>, at least. That\u2019s the equivalent of one sewage pipe continually flowing for 515 YEARS.<\/p>\n It\u2019s not just sewage, of course. The ecological devastation from intensive farming is staggering \u2013\u00a0 you just need to google\u00a0\u2018River Wye\u2019 or \u2018River Severn\u2019<\/a>\u00a0\u2013 and the true extent of agricultural pollution is impossible to pin down. Then there are the chemicals washing off roads into stormwater drains.<\/p>\n Couple that with ineffective regulation and you have a perfect storm. Only a fraction of rivers, lakes, and streams are regularly monitored for water quality and its impact on human or ecological health. Even that limited testing is unreliable, covering only part of the year and failing to show the complete picture.<\/p>\n But here\u2019s the thing: we don\u2019t have to accept this. The campaigners we work with certainly aren\u2019t. We shouldn\u2019t let it take away from all the joy wild waters give us.<\/p>\n What can YOU do?<\/strong><\/p>\n You don\u2019t need to be a scientist, a politician, or even think of yourself as activist to make a difference. You just need to care. And if you\u2019re reading this, you probably already do.<\/p>\n Here are some actions you can take:<\/p>\n If you have more time\u2026<\/p>\n This is one of the best ways to protect your waterways.<\/p>\n If a river, lake or beach is officially designated as a bathing site, it must be monitored for pollution and protected. There is legislation that forces regulators and water companies to take action.<\/p>\n Communities across the UK have been successful in getting designation \u2013 and we can help you apply too. We even have a complete toolkit:\u00a0The Toolkit \u2013 Protecting Wild Waters<\/a><\/p>\n And if you don\u2019t have much time\u2026<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Want to chat about your waters? Email Kirsty or Lizzie at wildwaters@sas.org.uk<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
They\u2019re the citizen scientists wading into polluted rivers to collect water samples that evidence pollution.
They\u2019re inviting water company execs to sit in their gardens over tea and cake, breaking down defences and securing investment in treatment works.
They\u2019re counting water users and running consultations, garnering support from every corner of their community.
They\u2019re sending in FOIs to get information on permits and finances.
They\u2019re putting pollution in local and national headlines, and talking in schools, and responding to government consultations, and calling out regulators, and asking water company CEOs incredibly difficult questions in incredibly public venues. And they\u2019re a force to be reckoned with.<\/p>\n
I\u2019ve personally heard countless stories of people turning to the water as they fought to stay sober, coped with grief, or overcame illness. The water gives us community and connection. But that connection is under threat.<\/p>\n\n
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