Dirty Business -

And the sentence that said it all was the fact that this country is the only one in the world whose water company isn't nationalised.

I have been watching it, the last episode is tomorrow night. The death of the little girl who caught ecoli from the sewerage discharged onto the beach was harrowing. A gripping drama, the acting was superb but then anything with Jason Watkins in it usually is. I never realised the depths of corruption and incompetence that went on for years. Everyone who cares about our environment should watch it.

This was digusting and horrifying to watch, that it has gone on for so long is unbelievable.
It should be no.1 priority for our government to renationalize our water treatment.

I was riveted last night, horrified and disgusted in equal measure by the appalling leaks, dumps and “spillages” and the glib clichés trotted out by the smug and self serving water company bosses. If I’d been playing corporate-speak bingo I’d have had a full house in no time -“passionate about the environment”, “hear what you are saying”, “occasionally mistakes are made”, “lessons will be learnt”, “I don’t set my own (£800,000) salary” etc etc.
And don’t get me started on the duplicitous, double dealing, covering up they’ve been guilty of for years.

RosiesMawagain I agree entirely, the corporate speak and attitude was appalling.
These water companies and the EA were a gravy train.

The drama really opened my eyes, I had no idea of the wicked behaviour from these organisations.

We have a guest for supper on Saturday who is a keen fisherman, he has a stream on his land and monitors the water himself, he pays for private testing.

I will be quizzing him on this matter.

I live by the sea, and my SIL is a member of the Surfers Against Sewage group. Also, lucky me, the blessed Thames Water have taken over supplying Southern Water.
Last month, a supply of bottled water was delivered as it was expected that the tap water might not be safe.
Sadly, none of this surprises me, including the huge sums paid to executives, nor the asset stripping, nor the steady flow of money to shareholders.
This was entirely predictable from the moment Mrs Thatcher announced it.
I am not a fan of Mrs Thatcher.
Whether the glare of publicity makes a difference remains to be seen.
I'm not sure that it is possible to renationalise the water supply.

I know how dirty my water is by seeing the soap powder tray.
No soap powder, fabric conditioner goes through that tray and yet there is black gunk.

I have watched all 3 episodes.

This is the Thatcher legacy - utilities privatised so that the profit motive is bolted on to what is basically a service (not that Thatcher even understood that word) - shareholders to be remunerated, bosses to be paid massive uncontrolled salaries and bonuses, lots of money spent on window dressing and PR.

I have no idea how we crawl back out of this. Public services are simply wrecked.

I’ve just finished watching it and I’m disgusted but not at all surprised! De-regulation is never a good idea although simplification of regulation could be!
In my opinion the government should fine them out of existence. We pay enough for our water and sewage and the money we pay should be used to improve our water. Not to line someone’s pockets.
Big business is all about how to get round regulations. I feel there should be no grey areas that can be challenged.

This government or any following government should be mandated to take water services into public ownership to try to protect our environment!

Last year my daughter went to hospital in Bristol having been canoeing in the river Wye! She found out later about the water quality. She was really ill for two days although having seen this it could have been far worse!

Last year my daughter went to hospital in Bristol having been canoeing in the river Wye! She found out later about the water quality. She was really ill for two days although having seen this it could have been far worse!

I've warned mine!
One DD likes canoeing, a DGD likes paddleboarding.
A couple of years ago DGD and her friends swam in a tributary of the Wye and some of the children were sick.

As well as sewage spillage, manure from chicken farms washes into the Wye, polluting the river, causing ecological damage.
www.theguardian.com/environment/2024/feb/07/environment-agency-failed-protect-river-wye-pollution-chicken-waste-court

Planning permission has been granted for further expansion of these units.
An environmental charity has launched a legal challenge against Natural Resources Wales (NRW) over its decision to approve the expansion of three poultry farms.

The River Action charity has accused NRW of not stopping chicken manure from polluting the River Wye.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c0mgwgxvxj1o

This was a real eye opening, awful watch. Difficult to credit that people could be paddling or even swimming, in sewage polluted waters.

The excuses, or 'reasons' which were lamely delivered by the water companies, were weak and indefensible.

I hope the government takes note and acts. I am not holding my breath though. It will be the usual 'lessons will be learned' garbage.

I have just watched it on catch up,to be honest words fail ,,,,,🤬🤬🤬