Point source pollution from discharges from sewerage systems
Often sewage works have break downs and cease to work properly. This means that untreated sewage can escape into our rivers. The Utility companies work hard to prevent this from happening, however it still does occur.
During storms and high rainfall events sewage works may not be able to cope with the shear volume of water entering the works. This is often because roof water and other run offs ends up into sewers and causes the sewages works to over flow. This is a recognized problem and in some cases is permitted (storm water overflows).
What can you do?
Try not to over using detergents in you washing machine (which sewage works have to strip out, and the more there is the harder it is to achieve), Try and collect your roof water and use it for watering your garden -this maintains a slow run off and has many benefits.
Report any sewage seen flowing into the river to the Environment Agency