Protesters demand end to sewage pollution

2 hours ago

Victoria Scheerand

Olivia Richwald,Yorkshire

News image — Thousands of people took part in protests across the country

BBC/Olivia Richwald A group of people gathered closely together on a stone bridge. The bridge overlooks a river, and behind the group there are brick buildings with large windows and a mix of older and modern architectural features. The sky above is partly cloudy, with patches of blue visible between white and grey clouds.
In the foreground on the left side of the image, a person is wearing a bright neon green shirt and carrying a bag with a strap across the chest. Behind them is a blue flag.
In the centre of the image, several cardboard protest signs are held up. One prominently displayed sign reads “SAVE OUR RIVERS” in large, hand-painted letters. Another sign, held lower in front, reads “THE GRAND OLD POOP OF YORK”. — Thousands of people took part in protests across the country

Hundreds of people in North Yorkshire have taken part in a nationwide protest to demand an end to sewage pollution.

The Paddle Out Protest was organised by Surfers Against Sewage (SAS), with two of the 56 organised events taking place in York and Scarborough on Saturday.

Robin Norton, who regularly rows on the River Ouse, said campaigners hoped to raise awareness of the seriousness of the issue, which was causing people to fall ill with increasing frequency.

"We're just the canary in the coal mine," he said, "the bigger issue is what's actually happening to the natural world."

According to campaigners, the River Ouse is one of the most polluted rivers in England.

Parliament data showed spills from wastewater storm overflows into the River Ouse in and around York lasted a total of 24,872 hours in 2024.

BBC/Olivia Richwald A group of people standing on a stone bridge beside a river. In the foreground, one individual holds a handmade cardboard sign with bold white lettering that reads, “WE’VE HAD ENOUGH”, along with a small painted illustration of faeces. Another sign shaped like a red stop sign with the word “STOP” in white capital letters is held up on a stick above the group.
Behind the people on the bridge, a river flows from left to right, where several individuals are paddling in kayaks and on paddleboards. The water appears slightly brown, and the riverbank is lined with old brick buildings featuring large windows and modern balconies. — Campaigners said the River Ouse in York is one of the most polluted rivers in England

Meanwhile, bathing waters in Scarborough's South Bay were classed by the Environment Agency as "poor" last year, while water in the North Bay was deemed "sufficient".

Yorkshire Water said it was investing £1.5bn over five years to reduce sewage discharges into rivers and coastal waters, with projects underway across West and North Yorkshire.

The company said it followed a previous £180m programme and had helped to cut discharges by 24.5% in 2025, after a 12% reduction in 2024.

It said that water quality could be affected by a range of factors beyond storm overflows and said it was working with local stakeholders and community groups to improve river health.

SAS A person standing on a sandy beach area under a white pop-up canopy. The canopy has printed text on the front that reads “SURFERS AGAINST SEWAGE” along with a web address beneath it. In the foreground, the central figure is dressed in a distinctive costume made from various pieces of plastic waste and debris. The costume includes strips of green material, plastic bags, and other items attached around the arms, torso, and legs. The person is also wearing sunglasses and a headpiece that incorporates similar materials, with strands hanging down over the face, partially covering it. One arm is extended outward, and the other hand holds a stick decorated with additional fabric, plastic, and a white flower-like object. — Protesters also gathered in Scarborough to raise awareness

Miles Cameron, bathing water manager at Yorkshire Water, said: "We have much more to do, and we're picking up the pace with many more projects set to start across the region, including over £250m investment up and down Yorkshire's coast.

"Part of this will be a significant scheme in Scarborough to transform the way in which we manage wastewater and surface water in the area, which we are currently consulting with the local community on."

Robin said he was concerned that stronger legal protections currently mainly applied to designated bathing waters.

"It shouldn't just be about bathing waters," he said.

"All waters should be protected."

BBC/Olivia Richwald Two people standing side by side on a bridge, dressed as E.Coli. They are positioned in the foreground and are facing directly toward the camera. They are wearing bright, eye-catching red costumes which are decorated with green pom-pom-like shapes and long pink strands. Each person is also wearing swim goggles over their eyes, and both have distinctive head coverings in shades of pink or purple that match their outfits. — Campaigners dressed up as E.coli, a bacteria sometimes found in polluted waters

Jamie Fisher, a member of York St John University Boat Club, said waterborne illnesses were "always in the back of everyone's mind".

"We've had quite a few members recently that have come down with illnesses," he said.

"Being a student-led boat club, we don't get a lot of help from anywhere else. It's down to us and what we can do to help our members."

Amber Keegan, policy and advocacy officer at SAS, said she had personally experienced "terrifying" illness caused by water pollution and believed no one should have to take "this risk with their health" by entering polluted water.

"We have these amazing free spaces around us in our cities, we have rivers, there's the coast for people as well," she said.

"They should be this incredible free place to exercise for our physical and mental health. Instead it's a gamble to use these spaces on our health."

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