Environmental charity highlights widespread pollution in national parks.
- Major campaign launched across six Northern cities to raise awareness.
- Staggering statistics reveal worsening water quality in national parks.
- Sewage and chemical pollution identified as primary culprits.
- Call to action for government accountability and reform.
The Campaign for National Parks has launched a significant environmental campaign to bring attention to the widespread water pollution affecting national parks across England and Wales. This effort aims to inform the public and pressurise the government to address this critical issue. The campaign is strategically deployed across 35 Ocean Outdoor screens in prominent cities such as Manchester, Leeds, and Liverpool.
In a stark revelation, it has been found that of the 880 lakes, rivers, and streams across the 13 national parks, a mere five meet the expected high standards of preservation and cleanliness. The severe case of water pollution in these areas is attributed largely to unchecked sewage disposal and the pervasive chemical contamination.
Supporting these findings, a study by the University of York revealed pharmaceutical contamination in an overwhelming 96% of locations tested within English national parks, exhibiting drug pollution levels surpassing urban areas like London, Leeds, and Belfast. This alarming data highlights the pressing need for stricter water quality controls.
Reports further detail 377 sewage overflows within the natural boundaries of these parks in 2022 alone, amounting to an astonishing 176,818 hours of discharge. The current situation indicates that no single water body in an English national park is currently categorized under good overall health.
Rose O’Neill, chief executive of the Campaign for National Parks, stresses the urgency of reinstating pristine conditions to these critical ecosystems, commonly enjoyed by millions. O’Neill remarks on the ‘perversity of the broken water system,’ where national parks face greater pollution threats compared to urban setups due to inadequate sewage management.
The Campaign for National Parks has called for public involvement to urge parliamentary action in enforcing robust clean water regulations. Ocean Outdoor UK’s senior marketing manager, Shona Dobson, emphasized the importance of public awareness in tackling water pollution and protecting these cherished landscapes.
This comprehensive campaign highlights an urgent environmental crisis, urging immediate governmental response to restore and safeguard national park waterways.
