Thousands of people will march in a family-friendly rally in London on Sunday to highlight the importance of clean water in their lives. The BBC spoke to residents near a rural waterway which scientists found had the second highest levels of active pharmaceutical pollution in the UK.

“You would think that as a country we would be able to look after our most pristine landscapes,” says cold water swimmer Joe Broughton.

Joe Broughton hasn’t dipped a toe in Tideswell Brook, in the heart of the Peak District National Park, since August.

One reason for this lies in the findings of a study which found that the brook had the second highest levels of active pharmaceutical pollution in the UK, with drugs such as antidepressants and antibiotics found in the water.

research studyThe study, published in August by Professor Alistair Boxall of the University of York and the River Trust, found that the concentrations of pharmaceuticals recorded in Tideswell Brook were at levels of concern for both human and ecological health.

According to Professor Boxall, one possible reason was the higher average age, with the older population using more drugs.

Ms Broughton, 44, has not been swimming there since antibiotic resistance developed and was concerned about the risk to her health.

“Going into the water is exposing me to antibiotics, antidepressants and other medications that I didn’t choose to take,” he said.

Tideswell and District Environment Group held an open meeting for local people to express both concern and anger at the pollution in their local drain.

“It scares me to think that this stream is more badly polluted now than when we moved here 27 years ago,” says Lynn Crow, president of the environmental group.

Local resident and open water swimmer Jill Turner said: “When we found out about anti-depressants, at first we laughed about it because when you swim in cold water you really feel cooler!

“But what is it doing to our rivers?”

The brook is a Site of Special Scientific Interest, meaning it is considered important for the breeding of key species and the larger wildlife ecosystem.

The study found 31 active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) at 52 out of 54 sampling locations in 10 protected national parks in England during tests in the winter and summer of 2022.

APIs are drugs that are biologically active and can end up in our rivers when humans flush the drugs down the toilet, or when our bodies excrete them after use.

• Less water flow in national parks means less dilution of concentrated pharmaceuticals
• The higher the average age, the more the older population uses and consumes more drugs
• Large numbers of tourists are contributing to local sewage volumes
• Lack of infrastructure to remove pharmaceuticals from sewage and water companies’ frequent use of overflows

A march in London on Sunday organized by campaign charity River Action will urge authorities to take action against people and companies polluting rivers, lakes and seas.

A spokesperson for the Environment Agency said it was working closely with other regulators and the water industry to better understand how pharmaceutical compounds enter the water environment.

“We have developed an early warning system to identify pollutants of emerging concern to consider any potential risks to surface water, groundwater and soil,” he said.

“We are also collaborating with the pharmaceuticals and veterinary medicine industry through the UK Cross-Government Platform for the exchange of knowledge on pharmaceuticals in the environment.”

Severn Trent Water said there are currently no sewage treatment sites in England specifically designed to treat pharmaceuticals.

It says its Tideswell sewage works carry out secondary treatment – ​​which removes harmful bacteria – and tertiary phosphate removal, and that the process used is “not materially different from what you would see at much larger sites.” Was.”

A spokesperson for the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs said: “We have already announced a rapid review of the Environmental Recovery Plan, which will also include consideration of how best to manage the chemicals.”

Steve Reed, Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, said: “I share the public anger over this issue, and I am taking immediate action to clean up our rivers, lakes and seas.

“So we are placing water companies under special measures water billWhich would strengthen regulation, including new powers to ban bonus payments to owners who pollute water and bring criminal charges against persistent law breakers.

“Just last week, I launched the largest review of the water sector since privatization to address long-term failings in the sector, attract investment to drive environmental improvements and put our water sector on a sustainable footing. Can be kept.”

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