The Audio Long Read From the archive: Sewage sleuths: the men who revealed the slow, dirty death of Welsh and English rivers
Sep 17, 2025
Dive into the murky waters of sewage pollution and its devastating impact on Welsh and English rivers. Hear about whistleblowers unearthing shocking truths of untreated sewage discharges, revealing a systemic failure in regulation. Personal stories highlight dedicated activists fighting back to restore river ecosystems. Explore the struggle against corporate greed and the urgent need for change. This captivating discussion underscores the pressing environmental crisis, urging listeners to take action for our waterways.
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Local Anglers Spot River Collapse
- Peter Hammond and Ashley Smith discovered their local Windrush river had emptied of fish and become opaque over several years.
- Their neighbourly observations and angling experience spurred them to investigate sewage pollution themselves.
How Sewage Kills Rivers
- Untreated sewage floods rivers with nutrients, causing algal blooms that suffocate fish and plants.
- Hammond's data analysis showed many spills went unreported and the Environment Agency often failed to notice them.
Detect Spills With Data Crosschecks
- Use frequent sensor data and pattern analysis to detect unreported sewage discharges.
- Cross-reference plant flow graphs with company reports to reveal missing or false spill notifications.
