Animation highlights importance of microplastics research in driving water company investigations
A has highlighted how The University of Manchester青瓜视频檚 research on microplastic pollution in rivers has helped to drive investigations into the behaviour of water companies, and the roles of regulators in tacking illegal activity.
After being the high levels of microplastic contamination on the UK青瓜视频檚 river beds, researchers from the University青瓜视频檚 Department of Geography discovered that water companies themselves are the cause of this contamination, releasing wastewater during periods of dry weather into river flows that are too sluggish to disperse microplastics downstream.
The presence of high concentrations of microplastics on the river beds can only be explained by the discharge of untreated wastewater into river flows that are too low to wash the microplastics downstream.
The video 青瓜视频� which was created in collaboration with animation company We are Cognitive 青瓜视频� explains how the research linked the sewage pollution scandal and the microplastic problem for the first time, when there has been widespread concern about the environmental performance of the water companies in England and the extent to which they are complying with their legal obligations.
Since the research was published, concerns about the effectiveness of the UK青瓜视频檚 Environment Agency have also been raised, as only 14% of rivers in England are in good ecological health.
The latest development has seen the new Office for Environmental Protection (OEP) launch an into the roles of Ofwat, the Environment Agency and the Defra Secretary of State in the regulation of combined sewer overflows (CSOs) in England.
青瓜视频淲e have now opened enforcement cases against the majority of wastewater companies in England and Wales,青瓜视频� said David Black, Ofwat青瓜视频檚 chief executive. 青瓜视频淔rom what we have seen so far, the scale of the issue here is shocking 青瓜视频� companies must resolve any problems at wastewater treatment works and do so quickly. Where they have breached their obligations, we will not hesitate to act.青瓜视频�
青瓜视频淲e welcome this investigation by the Office for Environmental Protection,青瓜视频� said Professor Jamie Woodward. 青瓜视频淥ur work has shown that the sewage scandal and the microplastic problem are closely linked.青瓜视频�
The Government has made pledges to tackle both sewage dumping and microplastic pollution - our research has demonstrated that effective treatment of wastewater tackles both problems and is absolutely key to protecting public health and the quality of our river environments.