A campaigner involved in Channel 4’s Dirty Business series has raised concerns about the presence of raw sewage surfacing in public areas, criticizing the actions of the Environment Agency.
Ash Smith accused the Environment Agency of neglecting their duty, suggesting that grassroots activists are fulfilling the monitoring responsibilities that the agency should be conducting on waterways.
The efforts of Ash Smith and Prof Peter Hammond, from Windrush Against Sewage Pollution, to uncover the issue of untreated sewage discharge into rivers are central to Channel 4’s impactful three-part series.
The series also sheds light on the battle of Julie Maughan, whose daughter Heather Preen contracted E.coli during a visit to a Devon beach in 1999, leading to her tragic death two weeks later, although South West Water denies responsibility.
David Thewlis and Jason Watkins portray Ash and Peter in the series, who have spent ten years investigating the conduct of water companies with the assistance of whistleblowers.
During an appearance on ITV’s Good Morning Britain, Ash expressed disappointment in the lack of progress, stating that water companies continue to pollute without significant consequences despite repeated reports to the Environment Agency.
He highlighted the presence of untreated sewage containing harmful bacteria resurfacing in public areas, including manholes on the streets, posing a risk to public health.
Prof Hammond expressed hope that the series would ignite public action, urging individuals to voice their concerns to authorities and advocate for stricter regulations within the water industry.
In response, an Environment Agency spokesperson defended the organization’s efforts, emphasizing their increased activities to combat water pollution, including inspections and legal actions against offending water companies.
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