A campaigner involved in Channel 4’s Dirty Business series has alleged that raw sewage is surfacing on the streets due to the negligence of the Environment Agency. Ash Smith criticized the agency, stating that grassroots activists are taking on the responsibility of monitoring waterways that should be conducted by the agency.
The efforts of Ash Smith and Prof Peter Hammond from Windrush Against Sewage Pollution to uncover the issue of untreated sewage being discharged into rivers are prominently featured in Channel 4’s impactful three-part series.
The series also highlights the struggle of Julie Maughan, whose daughter Heather Preen contracted E.coli, along with several others, during a visit to a Devon beach in 1999..
Tragically, Heather passed away two weeks later, and her story remains a central focus of the narrative, although South West Water denies any responsibility for her death.
Portrayed by David Thewlis and Jason Watkins in the series, Ash and Peter have dedicated a decade to investigating the actions of water companies with the support of whistleblowers.
During an appearance on ITV’s Good Morning Britain, Ash expressed frustration at the lack of progress, stating, “Despite our persistent efforts, little has changed. Water companies continue to pollute unabated, and the regulatory response remains inadequate.”
He highlighted the prevalence of untreated sewage containing harmful bacteria, even surfacing in the streets through manholes, posing a risk to public health.
Prof Hammond expressed hope that the series would incite public action, stating, “We want people to be outraged and demand more from their representatives to address these issues. There is a need to remove profit incentives from the water industry and ensure public oversight.”
In response, an Environment Agency spokesperson defended the agency, highlighting recent improvements in combating water pollution through increased resources and enforcement actions. The spokesperson mentioned ongoing inspections and prosecutions against offenders, including a forthcoming sentencing for Thames Water related to sewage discharges.
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