UK rivers polluted by chemicals and sewage as water reforms loom

By Al Jazeera English

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Rivers across England are facing widespread chemical and sewage pollution, raising concerns about the future of freshwater ecosystems and the impact on wildlife. Al Jazeera's Camille Nedelec reports on the scale of the crisis, including findings that all English rivers fail chemical standards and that 85% are contaminated by parasiticides linked to pet flea treatments. Chris Coode, chief executive of Thames21, explains how climate change is worsening the problem. Rising water temperatures and droughts can intensify the effects of pollution, putting additional pressure on already vulnerable ecosystems. Despite the challenges, Coode says nature can recover if the sources of pollution are removed. The report also examines proposed reforms to the UK water industry, including changes intended to strengthen accountability and give local leaders greater powers to hold water companies responsible for pollution. Can legislative reform and action to tackle pollution restore Britain's rivers

Tags: Camille Nedelec, Chris Coode, England rivers, English rivers chemical standards, Thames21, UK environment, UK river pollution, UK water industry, al Jazeera English, aljazeera live, chemical pollution, climate change, environmental crisis, freshwater wildlife, parasiticides, pet flea treatments, river ecosystems, river restoration, sewage discharges, sewage pollution UK