A momentous day: the March For Clean Water

Digital editor Abi Whyte joined 15,000 other blue-clad protestors for a defiant and uplifting rally in Parliament Square, London

““Our message is as clear as the chalk streams of yesterday…” said naturalist and broadcaster Chris Packham on the podium in front of an estimated 15,000-strong crowd in Parliament Square.

And the message certainly was clear on 3 November 2024 when 140 organisations, from Surfers Against Sewage to the Angling Trust, came together for a common cause: to demand the government tackle the devastating pollution that has marred our rivers and seas in recent years.

Striding out along the Thames and across Westminster Bridge, the March For Clean Water culminated at Parliament Square where an array of speakers awaited to address the blue-clad crowd. 

Writer Rob MacFarlane began the rally with a recital of his poem ‘Riversong’, written especially for the march, and actor and singer Johnny Flynn gave a stirring rendition of his 2010 song The Water with his sister Lillie. River Action founder Charles Watson reeled off a list of the ancient names of our rivers, “the Ribble, the Lune, the Mersey, the Fowey, the Tamar…” – a simple yet moving tribute that brought the nation’s rivers into being with us in the packed square. 

Environmentalists and campaigners spoke with anger about the 3.6 million hours of sewage discharged in our rivers in 2023 – more than double the amount  of sewage discharge in 2022. They spoke about the neglected infrastructure of our sewage network and the “systematic abuse of people and planet in pursuit of profit,” as highlighted by SOS Whitstable co-founder Sal Burtt-Jones. They spoke about the farming pollution killing our rivers – an issue unaddressed in the Water (Special Measures) Bill announced by the government earlier this year.

From human poo to chicken poo

I joined the march alongside fellow Save The Wye campaigners to give a voice to our river that has been particularly devastated by phosphate run-off from hundreds of intensive chicken farms and other agriculture within the river’s catchment. These phosphates cause algal blooms that starve the river of oxygen, harming wildlife and coating the riverbed in a slimy sludge.

As a wild swimmer with the “nation’s favourite river” flowing near my doorstep, it’s been heartbreaking to witness the Wye’s ecological decline. But it’s also been heartening to witness campaigners, such as Angela Jones, fighting tirelessly for the river. “I’m a wild swimming guide and my business is nearly bust because I simply refuse to take people into a polluted river,” she told me along the march. “I’m hopeful for the Wye’s future but action needs to be taken now.”

Ice swimmer Cath Pendleton was also there representing the Save the Wye campaign. “We all moan about [the state of our rivers], which is why it’s important we all come here and show our support,” she told me. “Today’s been brilliant. There are so many friendly people here all wanting the same thing.”

Familiar faces

Outdoor Swimmer founder Simon Griffiths was also among the buzzing crowd, marching with fellow Thames swimmers and campaigners. He saw some familiar faces along the procession including Sian Richardson, founder of the Bluetits Chill Swimmers, and Oceans Seven swimmer Andy Donaldson.

From the defiant march to the stirring rally, the March For Clean Water was a joyous event. To witness all of these individuals – whether they be swimmers, anglers, boaters or wildlife lovers – uniting for such an important cause was an uplifting and empowering experience.

I was moved by all of the speakers but there was a particular campaigner’s words that are still ringing in my ears today, those of Lawyers For Nature founder Paul Powlesland. “Step into the role of guardianship.” he said. “Devise the rights that you think your river, your sea, your lake should have, and then do whatever you peacefully can to uphold them. Why do it? Because it’s the most beautiful thing you can do.”

Do that beautiful thing – speak up for your blue space!

Write to your MP! The Rivers Trust website has a search tool to find the contact details of your local elected representative. It also provides an email template you can personalise to air your views. Find out more at theriverstrust.org/take-action

Sign petitions! Find a local petition calling for action for your waterway and sign and share it. If there isn’t one, start up your own. You can also sign River Action’s nationwide petition calling for rivers to be restored to health by 2030. Sign the petition at riveractionuk.com/rescuing-britains-rivers-petition

Report it! If you see evidence of pollution in your local waterway, report it to the relevant local authority. Make a note of the date, time, and precise location and don’t forget to also capture photos and videos as visual evidence of the incident.

Volunteer! Taking part in river clean ups, water testing, habitat creation and other tasks with your your local waterway or wildlife trust will not only make a positive difference to your blue space, it will get you out in the fresh air, exercising and meeting new people. The River Trust has lots of volunteering opportunities – find out more at theriverstrust.org/take-action

Lead photo is by Lucy Young