Protesters Demand Action on River Pollution

Around 15,000 protesters marched through central London demanding urgent action to address the pollution crisis affecting the UK's rivers and waterways. Organized by groups such as River Action and Greenpeace, participants called for a comprehensive review of the regulatory bodies Ofwat and the Environment Agency, alongside stricter enforcement of pollution laws. The protest highlighted a troubling statistic: privatised water companies discharged raw sewage into the environment for approximately 3.6 million hours in 2023, with four companies responsible for 90% of serious pollution incidents. Activists, including TV presenters and Olympic athletes, urged governmental intervention to restore river health and protect wildlife. Protesters carried banners, wore blue to symbolize clean water, and raised sculptures of marine animals to emphasize their message. The campaign aims to ensure that all polluting industries invest in improving infrastructure and reducing waste.