CAMPAIGNING TO CLEAN UP OUR RIVERS

In 2023, the River Spodden and River Roch in Rochdale experienced significant sewage pollution. According to data from the Environment Agency and other sources, the River Spodden was polluted 179 times for a total duration of 796 hours. This averages to about 3.4 times a week. The most significant contributor was the Spotland Bridge CSO, which accounted for 89 of these spills.

Similarly, the River Roch faced 1,105 sewage dumps in 2023, totaling 4,343 hours. This means that, on average, sewage was being dumped three times a day. The Milnrow Road/Fishwick Street CSO was one of the major contributors, discharging into the River Roch 90 times for a total of 93 hours.
Andy Lord told Focus “This disgraceful failure to keep our environment clean has got to end. We pay water rates to these companies and they should use that money to sort out this mess before paying bonuses to big bosses and dividends to shareholders!”

Recent Developments

United Utilities, the company responsible for managing these combined sewer overflows (CSOs), has been under increasing pressure to address the issue. Despite their commitment to reducing spills and improving monitoring, the frequency and duration of sewage dumps remain a significant concern for local communities and environmental groups.

Liberal Democrat Councillors and MP’s, working with environmental activists, have been vocal about the need for more stringent regulations and better infrastructure to prevent sewage pollution. There are ongoing discussions about potential solutions, including upgrading sewer systems and increasing investment in sustainable water management practices.