Not a single river in England is free from pollution — with waterways fouled by a 'chemical cocktail' of raw sewage, slurry, oils, car tyre microplastics and wet wipes.
This is the conclusion of a report by Parliament's Environment Audit Committee, which pointed to agriculture and then water companies as the largest contributors.
The committee — which spent months taking in expert advice — warned that the ubiquitous pollution poses a risk to both the environment and to human health.
UK waterways are used for pastimes from fishing to swimming and other sports, but bacteria derived from sewage and slurry risks making river users gravely ill.
And the noxious influx of chemicals, microplastics and excessive amounts of nutrients are harming river-based wildlife and leading to harmful algal blooms.
In particular, the audit committee criticised government inaction and budget cuts that are tying the hands of the Environment Agency in the fight against pollution.
According to the environment minister, however, the report — which was published today — 'highlights many areas that this government is now tackling.'
Not a single river in England is free from pollution — with waterways fouled by a 'chemical cocktail' of raw sewage, slurry, oils, car tyre microplastics and wet wipes (stock image)
'Rivers are the arteries of nature and must be protected,' Environmental Audit Committee chair and MP Philip Dunne told BBC News.
'Our inquiry has uncovered multiple failures in the monitoring, governance and enforcement on water quality.
'For too long, the government, regulators and the water industry have allowed a Victorian sewerage system to buckle under increasing pressure.'
Environment Minister Rebecca Pow, however, dismissed this criticism.
'We are going further and faster than any other government to protect and enhance the health of our rivers and seas,' she said.
'We welcome the Environmental Audit Committee's report which highlights many areas that this government is now tackling.'
As part of the report, the committee put forward a series of recommendations for how the Government might improve waterway management and combat pollution.
For example, they encourage more substantial penalties for water companies that discharge sewage into the environment — a course of action that is only supposed to be allowed in truly exceptional circumstances.
Such discharges can be identified by signs including the presence of tampons, toilet paper and human waste in the water or caught on plants along riverbanks.
According to the committee, local community groups often flag sewage overflow episodes that are not reported to the Environment Agency by the responsible water companies — suggesting these discharges are likely more common than thought.
'We support the committee's urgent call for action to improve the health of England's rivers,' a spokesperson for water and wastewater service provider membership organisation Water UK said.
'Many of the recommendations mirror proposals set out in our recent 21st Century Rivers report,' they added.
This, they explained, 'calls for government, regulators, water companies, agriculture,
