Greenpeace responds to BBC story about 6,000 possible illegal sewage spills

Greenpeace UK climate team leader, Mel Evans, said:

“It’s clear that water companies are acting with complete impunity in this country. For years they have been polluting our rivers, lakes and seas, making people sick, and failing to upgrade vital infrastructure, all while paying company bosses and shareholders obscene amounts of money. 

“We urgently need the next government to properly fund watchdogs and regulators, give them the powers they need to hold big polluters to account, and bring in stringent legal targets to clean up our waterways. And water companies should be forced to redirect large bonuses and shareholder dividends towards investment in infrastructure. 

“People want stronger action on climate and nature and that’s why Greenpeace is urging people to demand the climate leadership they deserve at the ballot box.”