I agree Helen. I seem to remember, during our pilgrimage to Wales (my maternal line) we stayed outside Monmouth at a sheep farm - glamping. Sarah was telling us that some industrial chicken farmers had dumped chicken waste/manure into the river Wye which had basically killed the river ecosystem.
It's worth pointing out that you cannot increase the population by 700-900K per year as a Government Policy and expect a sewerage system that hasn't been expanded to cope. That's not to excuse the action or lack of by the Water Companies, but to add a bit of context.
As to your comments and observations on factory farming, they are spot on. Factory Farming is an ignorant bureaucrat's way of solving a problem.
BTW apologies for not responding to your replies to my other comments, I've been travelling for the last two weeks.
I do agree Ian, all resources are under huge pressure from the growth in population which is directly having an effect on our countryside. More people = more housing, more waste including water waste, more food required etc. Naturally this results in cheap housing being built everywhere and a need to build on the countryside, not improving our water systems and then sewage running into our natural water ways and so soooo much more. Or worse being pumped into our natural streams and rivers because the water companies get away with it!
Also worth pointing out that most pre-1970s housing usually has a combined dirty water and surface water sewer so heavy rain usually overloads the system leading to sewage spills. If more households and indeed farms can hold back surface water for as long as possible - slowing the flow - there will be fewer sewage spills. We can all help. I have diverted all the water coming off our covered yard away from the nearby stream so it runs into a swampy willow carr where it can slowly drain away
Thanks for sharing this Sally, its a great example of how small changes can have a big impact on our environment for the good. If only everyone was open to smaller changes to all do their part in holding back ,surface water as you suggested.
I agree Helen. I seem to remember, during our pilgrimage to Wales (my maternal line) we stayed outside Monmouth at a sheep farm - glamping. Sarah was telling us that some industrial chicken farmers had dumped chicken waste/manure into the river Wye which had basically killed the river ecosystem.
It’s a HUGE issue Jennifer. Cheap food is killing our countryside and our rivers.
https://www.ciwf.org.uk/media/press-releases-statements/muck-map-reveals-the-scale-of-toxic-waste-from-factory-farms-impacting-england-s-rivers-housing-targets/
It's worth pointing out that you cannot increase the population by 700-900K per year as a Government Policy and expect a sewerage system that hasn't been expanded to cope. That's not to excuse the action or lack of by the Water Companies, but to add a bit of context.
As to your comments and observations on factory farming, they are spot on. Factory Farming is an ignorant bureaucrat's way of solving a problem.
BTW apologies for not responding to your replies to my other comments, I've been travelling for the last two weeks.
I do agree Ian, all resources are under huge pressure from the growth in population which is directly having an effect on our countryside. More people = more housing, more waste including water waste, more food required etc. Naturally this results in cheap housing being built everywhere and a need to build on the countryside, not improving our water systems and then sewage running into our natural water ways and so soooo much more. Or worse being pumped into our natural streams and rivers because the water companies get away with it!
Also worth pointing out that most pre-1970s housing usually has a combined dirty water and surface water sewer so heavy rain usually overloads the system leading to sewage spills. If more households and indeed farms can hold back surface water for as long as possible - slowing the flow - there will be fewer sewage spills. We can all help. I have diverted all the water coming off our covered yard away from the nearby stream so it runs into a swampy willow carr where it can slowly drain away
Thanks for sharing this Sally, its a great example of how small changes can have a big impact on our environment for the good. If only everyone was open to smaller changes to all do their part in holding back ,surface water as you suggested.