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High Levels Of Chemical Pollutants Found In UK Freshwater Bodies
High levels of nitrates and phosphates, chemical compounds, painkillers, antibiotics, pesticides, caffeine and nicotine have all been found in freshwater sources around the UK, according to the annual WaterBlitz project, which operated throughout September.
The project recruits local people and community groups across England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland twice a year to take thousands of water samples, with hundreds of kits distributed by Imperial College London to help detect a range of different chemical pollutants.
Some 91 water samples were analysed, revealing levels of venlafaxine (an antidepressant), trimethoprim (an antibiotic) and the painkillers tramadol and diclofenac, most likely from urban wastewater sources.
Several samples also revealed agricultural contaminants such as tebuconazole (a fungicide) and acetamiprid (a pesticide), indicating that agricultural runoff is a source of pollution. Furthermore, stimulants like nicotine and caffeine were found, with many of these substances recognised as being potentially harmful to wildlife.
Overall, out of the 2,300 or so sites that were measured, 61 per cent were found to have poor water quality, while the Anglian and Thames river basins emerged as having the worst water quality in the UK, with unacceptable nutrient concentrations revealed in more than 80 per cent of surveys.
The best water quality was found in Kircudbrightshire in Scotland and West Glamorgan in Wales. Northumberland county had the best water quality in England and Rutland in the East Midlands the worst.
Imperial College London’s Dr Leon Barron commented on the findings, saying that this latest analysis emphasises the fact that despite the presence of treatment facilities, these chemicals still continuously make their way into rivers, lakes and streams, all of which are the lifeline of the country and none of which pass good overall health status.
Describing this as a national failure, Dr Barron continued to say that more action must be urgently taken to clean up the UK’s waterways.
Dr Sasha Woods, director of science and policy at Earthwatch Europe, made further comments, saying: “The results of September’s Great UK WaterBlitz are deeply concerning. The data analysed in this report shows the alarming extent of pollution in UK rivers with no region left untouched.
“Our rivers are facing a multitude of threats, including sewage pollution to agricultural runoff and we need urgent action to protect these vital ecosystems, else we risk greater losses to freshwater biodiversity, the potential spread of antimicrobial resistance and the very real threat of clean water scarcity.
“Healthy freshwater systems, free from harmful pollution aren’t a nice thing to have, they are vital if we are to address the biodiversity and climate crises.”
How can businesses help?
The level of water pollution created by your business will be largely dictated by the industry you operate in.
Agricultural organisations, for example, need to be particularly mindful about agricultural runoff, putting measures in place to prevent pesticides and other chemicals from entering waterways.
This could include, for example, trapping sediment and nutrients in surface runoff by using vegetation or changes in water depth to slow runoff velocity.
Creating ditch wetlands, widening ditches, building swales, bunds and sediment traps, using riparian buffer strips, changing land use in high-risk areas, and changing farming system design so it’s not focused on absolute yield can all deliver significant improvements to water quality.
Elsewhere, businesses can reuse wastewater instead of discharging it, dispose of hazardous waste appropriately, avoid the use of harsh chemicals and dispose of any chemicals properly without flushing them down the drain, reducing waste across the supply chain and within the office itself, and supporting environmental organisations through fundraising and awareness campaigns.
If you’d like to find out more about sustainable water management and how you can make a difference to water quality in your local area, get in touch with the H2o Building Services team today to see how we can help.
We will carry out a water audit of your site to see how and where you use water, advising you on the best measures to reduce water consumption and prevent pollution from taking place, all of which will also help you to save money at the same time.