Raw sewage is reportedly surfacing on streets, according to a campaigner involved in Channel 4’s Dirty Business series, who criticized the Environment Agency. Ash Smith accused the regulator of neglecting its duty, stating that local activists are conducting essential water monitoring tasks that the agency should be performing.
The efforts of Ash and Prof Peter Hammond from Windrush Against Sewage Pollution to expose the issue of untreated sewage being discharged into rivers are a central focus of Channel 4’s impactful three-part program. The series also highlights the struggle of Julie Maughan, whose daughter Heather Preen fell ill with E.coli, along with numerous others, after visiting a Devon beach in 1999. Tragically, Heather passed away two weeks later, and although South West Water denies responsibility for her death, her story remains integral to the narrative.
Portrayed by David Thewlis and Jason Watkins in the show, Ash and Peter have spent ten years investigating the actions of water companies with the assistance of whistleblowers. Speaking on ITV’s Good Morning Britain, Ash emphasized the lack of significant changes despite persistent demands for action, pointing out ongoing pollution incidents by water companies and the apparent inaction of the Environment Agency.
Professor Hammond expressed hope that viewers would be moved to take action after watching the series, urging the public to voice their discontent to government representatives and demand more rigorous oversight of the water industry. He emphasized the need to remove profit incentives from water management and increase public control for improved accountability.
In response, an Environment Agency spokesperson defended the agency’s recent efforts to combat water pollution, highlighting increased inspections, data accuracy, and enforcement actions against offending water companies. The spokesperson cited upcoming legal actions against Thames Water for multiple sewage discharges, along with successful prosecutions that have resulted in substantial fines imposed on water and sewerage firms.
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