Sewage release is worse for rivers than agriculture pollution, study reveals

clock • 4 min read
Image of the pollution in the Bradford watercourse | Credit: Environment Agency
Image:

Image of the pollution in the Bradford watercourse | Credit: Environment Agency

Research finds sewage pollution, whether treated or untreated, is primary driver of increased nutrients, algae, and sewage fungus in UK rivers

Sewage discharge into rivers has been found to have a more detrimental effect on water quality and animal and plant life than pollution from the surrounding land. That is according to research published...

To continue reading this article...

Join BusinessGreen

In just a few clicks you can start your free BusinessGreen Lite membership for 12 months, providing you access to:

  • Three complimentary articles per month covering the latest real-time news, analysis, and opinion from Europe’s leading source of information on the Green economy and business
  • Receive important and breaking news stories via our daily news alert
  • Our weekly newsletter with the best of the week’s green business news and analysis

Join now

 

Already a BusinessGreen member?

Login

More on Risk

Study: Carbon markets overlook value of natural carbon sinks

Study: Carbon markets overlook value of natural carbon sinks

Land and ocean carbon sinks are under pressure, but carbon pricing mechanisms are struggling to protect them, Wood Mackenzie warns

clock 04 September 2026 • 4 min read
National Heat Risk Commission warns escalating heat impacts are 'well documented but poorly governed'

National Heat Risk Commission warns escalating heat impacts are 'well documented but poorly governed'

New report argues heat risks and the policies and investments required to combat them are now well understood, but ‘delivery is absent’

James Murray
clock 03 September 2026 • 4 min read
Report: World should now expect $450bn a year in losses from natural disasters

Report: World should now expect $450bn a year in losses from natural disasters

Increase in severity of storms, floods, wildfires and more - as well as rising property values and insurance costs - spurs surge in modelled losses from natural catastrophes in a given year, according to Verisk

Michael Holder
clock 01 September 2026 • 4 min read