We have had a busy couple of months since our last update in February. Please read on to find out more about what we've been up to and how you can get involved.
Time is running out! 23rd April deadline!
Have your say in the Government's Independent Water Commission.
The 23rd April is the deadline to get your voice heard in order to shape the future management of our water.
Contributing to the Government's Commission has not been made easy - one may almost think they don't actually want to hear our views on the matter?
Both River Action and Surfers Against Sewage have put together information to help you navigate the Commission's complex structure. Choose how you'd like to respond from the options below:
River Action | Surfers Against Sewage |

You may have caught SOS volunteers Keith Thomas and Hilary Plews on Channel 4 News on Thursday 27th March (still available on catch up - see below!)
As DEFRA were releasing their Combined Sewage Overflow (CSO) data that day, Channel 4 were keen to film Citizen Science in action. Keith and Hil did a sterling job, getting across our outrage at the fact that sewage is still being regularly dumped in our rivers and seas and we are paying a premium for this!
Side note: whilst on-site, Channel 4 filmed one CSO releasing into the river, despite it being dry and despite by admission in Yorkshire Water's own monthly situation report that rainfall for the Swale in the month of March had been notably low (THIS IS ILLEGAL!). When Channel 4 reported this to Yorkshire Water they were told it was groundwater infiltration into a cracked pipe - hmmm - lack of investment maybe?
Cue lots of Yorkshire Water activity in and around the area of Station Bridge the day after and subsequently.
The power of TV!

Save Our Swale has a website!

We also have a Bluesky account in addition to our other social media: @saveourswale.bsky.social
People's Commission Events
As mentioned in February's newsletter, the People's Commission events are organised by the Sewage Campaign Network (of which SOS is a member) and runs alongside the Government's own Water Commission. Findings from these events will be presented to Parliament by a delegation of the Sewage Campaign Network in July.
Volunteers from SOS attended two of the events and you can access more detail and the output of the events below.
Online event: International Water Systems Event
Examples shared of the re-municipalisation of the water sector in other countries which has delivered better service, cleaner water and cheaper bills.
Knaresborough in person event: Resilient Water Systems
Presentations and discussions on how we can build a resilient water system.
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Treatment Works Visit
SOS recently made an on-site visit to Richmond Treatment works. This links directly to SOS Objective 3: challenge Yorkshire Water to ensure local sewage system (Waste Water Treatment Works) is fit for purpose.
Three members of SOS were given a tour of the site to see first-hand the current state of the treatment works. There is currently activity to refurbish three storm tanks which would in effect help to reduce storm overflows directly into the river. However, this won't affect overall treatment and SOS are concerned about the high levels of coliform readings from the treated sewage outlet pipe at the works. Further investigation and research to be completed by SOS, but do read our article in the D&S and the stock response from Yorkshire Water.
Invertebrate Monitoring
The fabulous Invertebrate Monitoring volunteers, co-ordinated by Sally Reckert, have been busy at their various sites catching, identifying, then releasing invertebrates. The presence of these little fellas is a positive indicator of river health. Unfortunately, at our Brompton site we have yet to spot a single one! This is unsurprising as it correlates with the high levels of pollution identified at Brompton through our Water Quality Monitoring programme. Much more work to do there.
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