Water works 'significant source' of river pollution
CRKCA wastewater treatment works is a "significant source" of faecal bacteria in a river, according to a study.
Citizen scientists took samples from the River Kent, near Kendal, in 2024 which suggested human pollution peaked at Staveley's treatment works, the Clean River Kent Campaign (CRKC) said.
Results from the study showed that "significant faecal sources of pollution" were found at Staveley, which increased in warmer periods and after heavy rainfall.
Water company United Utilities (UU) said Staveley's site "works exactly as it was designed" but since the 2024 survey, the company had started delivering a multimillion-pound upgrade.
The study, which was done in conjunction with the University of Sheffield, focused on samples taken above and below the wastewater treatment works.
Dr Isabel Douterelo Soler, from the university, visited the sample sites and worked with the citizen scientists before they carried out testing from May to October 2024.
In the water above the works, the human faecal content of river water was about half that of animal, but below, the human content increased to about five times that of animal.
Samples were also taken from treatment works at Kendal, where faecal bacteria levels in the river were "much lower than Staveley's", the CRKC said.
The Environment Agency said it was investigating UU for its operation of storm overflows at Staveley and, if appropriate, would act in line with its enforcement and sanctions policy.
"We have worked with United Utilities to secure projects at the Staveley site to reduce the number of spills into the River Kent, striving toward improved water quality in this catchment," a spokesperson said.
'No monitoring'
In 2024, the campaign group said there had been 66 discharges of raw sewage from the United Utilities sewage system onto the streets of Staveley in Cumbria since 2015.
The River Kent is both a designated site of Special Scientific Interest and a Special Area of Conservation.
John Soady, from the CRKC, said: "There is no monitoring by any UK agency of the microbial content in the River Kent or the potential associated risk for both humans and wildlife, despite its ecological importance. This needs to change."
The EA said it only routinely sampled locations for faecal bacteria which are designated as bathing waters.
County business leader at UU Andrew Kendall said the work to the treatment sites, which aimed to improve the river's water quality, was due to be completed by summer 2027.
He said since the samples were taken, the company had "completed lots of work around Staveley, which include relining 400m (1312ft) of our sewer network and increasing capacity of our treatment works".
The company said after the work was carried out in February, it had seen a 30% drop in storm spills at Staveley.
