The sewage scandal
The sewage scandal is – rightly – an election issue: the rivers and lakes of our great National Park should be at the top of the clean up list
The waterways of the National Parks are some of the most iconic. The Broads is the most biodiverse wetland in the UK, the mountains of Eryri and the Lake District include spectacular glacial lakes and the South Downs spring a significant proportion of the world’s chalk streams. The uplands of Dartmoor and Exmoor include wet bogs and sensitive headwaters of rivers and the waterfalls of Bannau Brycheiniog are world renowned.
Every year, millions of people explore these rivers, pools, lakes and wetlands, whether that’s navigating their waterways by boat or taking the plunge and wild swimming. These waters are the lifeblood of the National Parks, but they’re under threat.
Did you know? Not a single water body in an English National Park is in good overall health.
Why we need healthy freshwater habitats
Healthy water bodies deliver a range of benefits: in addition to supporting biodiversity, they contribute to improved drinking water quality, support natural flood management, enhance climate mitigation, and are, of course, much valued by people as places for recreation and relaxation. The condition of water bodies in National Parks has implications far beyond the boundaries of those Parks with links between the quality of freshwater and the health of our oceans.
