Swimmers frustrated with water contamination in the River Thames launch a battle, accusing lawmakers of overseeing a "national disgrace" in water pollution matters.

In a bold move to raise awareness about a pressing environmental issue, open water swimmers, backed by Surfers Against Sewage (SAS), recently completed a 124-mile relay swim along the River Thames from Gloucestershire to Teddington Lock. The swim was part of a larger campaign by SAS to pressure the British government to take immediate action to protect Britain's rivers, lakes, and seas.

The swim, which took place under challenging conditions, was aimed at drawing attention to the sewage crisis in British waters, a situation SAS describes as a "national scandal." The organisation has expressed concern over the government's inaction and the prioritisation of profit over the duty to protect people and the planet.

The route of the relay swim was marked by instances of severe pollution. In particular, pollution in the Thames is a significant concern, with at least 35 competitors experiencing sickness after swimming in the Berkshire stretch of the river during the Royal Windsor Triathlon in June 2024. The swimmers also encountered raw sewage being spewed from combined sewer overflows along the route, a sight that was tracked on a live map.

The SAS swimmers urged lawmakers to take immediate action to end the sewage crisis and reform the water system to prioritize people and the planet over profit. The leading figures responsible for UK water regulation reform, as called for by Surfers Against Sewage, include the UK Government's Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA), the Environment Agency, and the water companies regulated by Ofwat.

Currently, the government is reviewing regulations meant to protect waters, but SAS believes the proposals fall short and could weaken protections. The organisation has criticised the government for not doing enough to address the sewage crisis, with billions of gallons of untreated sewage being released by water management companies each year, heavily polluting waterways.

National outrage and concern have arisen due to dangerous levels of pollution in Britain's rivers, lakes, and seas. In addition to excessive use of fertilizers and pesticides, the sewage crisis is a significant contributor to this problem.

SAS shared a post on their social media account (@surfersagainstsewage) about the swim and their campaign to end the sewage crisis. The post highlighted the challenges faced by the swimmers, including darkness, exhaustion, aching muscles, and stomach issues due to swimming in polluted water. The post also urged the public to join the fight against the sewage crisis and support the call for reform of the water system.

Swimmers frustrated with water contamination in the River Thames launch a battle, accusing lawmakers of overseeing a "national disgrace" in water pollution matters.