Salisbury charity to challenge sewage pollution at House of Lords

WildFish: "We hope the new government will rise to the challenge.”

by Annette J Beveridge

MORE than three million hours of sewage were discharged into England’s rivers in 2023 negatively impacting wildlife. Salisbury has five rivers flowing through or around the city and now one charity is taking official action.

WildFish Conservation Charity is based in Salisbury and has proposed amendments to the Water (Special Measures) Bill which has its Second Reading in the House of Lords today (Wednesday, October 9). The aim is to ensure rapid progress in dealing with the sewage and water crisis in English rivers.

The charity aims to reverse the negative impact of sewage pollution on wild fish by seeking to eliminate threats faced in fresh and coastal waters.

CEO of WildFish, Nick Measham said: “Our rivers and our fish do not have time for long-winded reviews. And, by and large, we don’t need them.

“While WildFish will be tabling technical amendments to the Water (Special Measures) Bill, to make sure the new government can make rapid progress, there are many actions the government can take right now, without new legislation, and certainly before some long-winded review to have a real and early impact on reducing pollution and planning for the future.

“We hope the new government will rise to the challenge.”