Welcome to our July newsletter- read on to find out what's been happening and how you can help out!
The Commissions
You may recall that the 23rd April was the deadline to have your say on the future of our water industry by contributing to the Government's Independent Water Commission (The Cunliffe Commission). We felt it important to have our voice heard despite the fact we felt the remit of this commission to be too narrow and lacking in consideration for public opinion.
Providing a much wider scope, the grassroots organised People's Commission ran concurrently to the Cunliffe Commission, holding a series of public events around the country. Their findings are now in, and you can read their recommendations on long term sustainable solutions in this article by Sarah Hartley of the Northern Eco. |
What's been happening?
Yorkshire Water Meeting
Members of SOS met with two of Yorkshire Water's River Health Team to discuss the Easby Waste Water Treatment Works (WWTW) and ongoing maintenance works on the Batts - you may have seen the pipework and security?
SOS are still waiting for a response from Yorkshire Water to the questions asked following the on-site visit to Easby WWTW. We were given an assurance that a response will be with us by the end of July and from there we will formulate our report on the treatment works.
You may recall that in our last newsletter we mentioned that film footage of the Batts Combined Sewage Overflow (CSO) dry dumping earlier this year was sent to Yorkshire Water by Channel 4. Talk of water ingress and a cracked pipe ensued, followed by a flurry of YW activity. SOS followed this up with the Yorkshire Water River Health Team and initial investigations found there to be an issue with the CSO. Yorkshire Water have informed us that the pipework is currently diverting waste water, which will enable the CSO to be repaired.
Fundraising Campaign
SOS held two fundraising events in June, which were extremely well-attended.
Swaledale Festival
As part of the Swaledale Festival, on the 5th June, SOS hosted a walk along the Swale highlighting the importance of the history of the river to the communities it supports and the injustice of the wanton pollution with which it is bestowed today.
The walk was curated and led by SOS volunteers and was a sold out success. It was linked to the beautiful concert (also sold out!) held at St Agatha's Church, Easby that same evening given by Zan Pell and Jake Herringman. These incredibly talented musicians kindly donated the CD sales from that evening to SOS raising an amount of £285!
Town Hall Fundraiser
A fantastic night of music, poetry, auction, raffle and a pie and pea supper was had on the 14th June. The event was staffed by amazing SOS volunteers and supported by local businesses and organisations. The music was provided by the Rolling Drystones and the poetry by Rantin' Richie. Each of these artists gave their time for free.
We are grateful to all who supported and to those who attended the event and were incredibly generous with their money. In total we raised over £2000 which will enable SOS to continue their important work: testing and analysing the quality of the river health of the Swale.
Shout Out To!
Richmond Town Council for their continuing support of the SOS campaign and for their recent donation of £250!
Be Aware
SOS has been keeping tabs on a number of Facebook reports about dogs showing signs of sickness after having been in the River Swale. Certain waterborne sicknesses must be reported by doctors/ vets to the relevant public health authorities.
If your dog is sick, please visit your vet and advise them that your dog has been in the river.
If you or your child experiences sickness after bathing in the river, please visit your GP and let them know.
Surfers Against Sewage are collating sickness data, and in addition to reporting via the authorities above you can also record your experience here:
Love your loo!
A recent spill of the Batts pipework highlighted some of the contents of what we put down the loo! Now whilst this should be cleaned by water companies in their processes, we all have a responsibility to be mindful of what we flush and what we bin.
The only flushable products are the three P's: Pee, Poo and Paper! Make sure you bin everything else!
Get Involved
Designated Bathing Water status
DEFRA have now reopened applications for Designated Bathing Water Status.
If you'd like to volunteer with SOS to help with counting bathers during the season (from now until the end of September) or by helping to collate all the data for the final application please email us at saveourswale@gmail.com.
Keep informedDirty Dealings'Regulator and government accused of colluding with water industry to dump potentially toxic waste without oversight.' Read this exposé on sewage sludge, a by-product of the water industry, sold to farmers as sustainable fertiliser, yet potentially carrying toxic substances. Source: the Guardian https://search.app/gPiU6LFZ8DddmN6f7
Farm InspectionsThe Environment Agency are increasing farm inspections in order to tackle pollution. You can hear more in Radio 4's Farming Today episode: |
Recommendation
Poet Robert Macfarlane explores the idea that rivers are 'not mere matter for human use, but living beings – who should be recognized as such in both imagination and law. Inspired by the activists, artists and lawmakers of the young ‘Rights of Nature’ movement, Macfarlane takes the reader on an exhilarating exploration of the past, present and futures of this ancient, urgent concept. At the centre of this vital, beautiful book is the recognition that our fate flows with that of rivers – and always has.' Available as book and audiobook.
Dates for the Diary
Next WQM session is on 27th July.
Richmond Market 6th Sept
Come along to see us and find out more about our campaign and what activities we are currently involved in.
