Cont: Brexit: Now What? Turning it up to 11

[Wudang]

I saw a wry cartoon where the water companies were complaining that the drought meant that there were no rivers to pump the sewage into

I admire whoever came up with the hashtag #turdreich.

 

[Lukraak_Sisser]

See, while us under the oppressive EUcratic regime have to suffer having at least cleaner rivers.

Pity us.

 

[GlennB]

See, while us under the oppressive EUcratic regime have to suffer having at least cleaner rivers.

Pity us.

Yeah, you're probably not even allowed to award fat bonuses to the water company bosses while your rivers turn to stinkin' sludge. Pffft

 

[wobs]

Raw sewage in our seas and rivers - another Brexit gift. The government voted against measures to restrict dumping of sewage in our waters because there is a shortage of the needed chemicals due to a shortage of HGV drivers.
Article from September 2021
https://www.thechemicalengineer.com...eatment-firms-begin-running-out-of-chemicals/

The raw sewage being discharged into rivers thing has been going on long befeore Brexit. Any shortage of chemicals (ferric sulphate) since Brexit has had a limited effect on a small number of companies.

 

[Wudang]

Some might consider an increase of 2553% significant.

https://news.sky.com/story/huge-inc...to-uk-waterways-and-sea-data-reveals-12677730

 

[Wildy]

I don't know what you guys are complaining about. Thanks to Brexit the British population is free to get all the extra raw sewage that the elites in Brussels were keeping for themselves.

 

[wobs]

Some might consider an increase of 2553% significant.

https://news.sky.com/story/huge-inc...to-uk-waterways-and-sea-data-reveals-12677730

From the link:

A spokesperson for Southern Water said: "This week's heavy rain has fallen on to dry ground that can't absorb surface run-off, meaning that more rain than usual has overwhelmed our network.

"This led to some overflows - which are used to protect homes, schools, businesses and hospitals from flooding - spilling excess water into the sea.

From Water.org:

Is there any environmental impact because of this issue?


This is expected to only affect a small number of sites across the country. In those cases, there will be a reduced ability to remove phosphorus from wastewater discharges. Primary and secondary treatment of sewage – which removes solids and organic matter – will continue as before. Storm overflows are also unaffected.

https://www.water.org.uk/news-item/driver-shortage-statement/


The supply issue is also down to covid:
https://www.adlerandallan.co.uk/kno...primary,struvite control and sludge digestion.


Water companies have been discharging through CSO long before brexit especially at time of sudden heavy rainfall. At least one right wing newspaper campaigned to stop the practise years ago, so its a known problem.

Its a particular issue ATM, as the dry soil causes a lot of rain to wash off the land and into drains, meaning the systen is less able to cope.

The EA has been cut of course, meaning they do far less regulatory work than they used to.

I'm all for looking at the impact of Brexit, but this is minor compared to the other issues driving these pollution incidents.

 

[wobs]

I should add that the EA used to monitor sewage works until 15 years ago. Now water companies do it themselves:

On top of that, the EA, Ofwat, and DEFRA are themselves are being investigated by the new Office for Environmental Protection for potentially failing to regulate sewage releases from Combined Sewer Overflows. It is clear that all is not well with our water industry and its regulation, and this has lasting, grave implications for the health of our rivers.

Mark Lloyd, CEO of The Rivers Trust, commented: “You have to wonder if these lower ratings actually reflect a recent increase in scrutiny after years of regulators turning a blind eye. I raised concerns when operator self-monitoring – i.e. allowing water companies to mark their own homework – was introduced 15 years ago, and those concerns were clearly justified.

https://theriverstrust.org/about-us/news/water-companies-environmental-performance-sinks-to-new-lows
I should add that if you are seeing turds/other large solds floating in the river/sea, its likely not because they are lacking ferric sulphate, (which is a coagulant), but its come from a CSO. The dosing is done to aid in settlement for primary and secondary treatment, but they can still remove large solids without it.

 

[Wudang]

Interesting. Thanks.

The Guardian reports on missing and faulty sewage monitors
https://www.theguardian.com/environ...de-sewage-monitors-england-environment-agency

 

[Darat]

I should add that the EA used to monitor sewage works until 15 years ago. Now water companies do it themselves:

...snip....

Well of course - I mean who is better to take impartial and accurate readings to monitor a private company than the private company itself...

 

[Wudang]

When in charge of DEFRA Liz Truss chopped funds for sewage monitors as "efficiency" cuts.

https://www.theguardian.com/politic...nvironment-agency-cuts-sewage-water-pollution

 

[a_unique_person]

Why do you hate efficiency?

 

[The Don]

How very dare the French complain about receiving our wonderful British sewage - and they don't even have to pay for the privilege

The UK is threatening health and marine life on the French coast by allowing raw sewage to be dumped in the Channel and North Sea, say three Euro MPs.

<snip>

Since its departure from the European Union, the United Kingdom had neglected its environmental commitments, the MEPs said in a letter calling for legal or political action from the European Commission.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-62670623

 

[P.J. Denyer]

How very dare the French complain about receiving our wonderful British sewage - and they don't even have to pay for the privilege



https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-62670623

France is hardly surprising, when a British turd turned up on a Greek beach I was quite surprised, but now it's made it all the way to Ukraine!

 

[Mojo]

A Brexiteer has just explained to me that the shortage of migrant labour is nothing to do with Brexit, because the UK stopped EU workers coming here before Brexit.

 

[ponderingturtle]

A Brexiteer has just explained to me that the shortage of migrant labour is nothing to do with Brexit, because the UK stopped EU workers coming here before Brexit.

Those are british jobs for british people.

 

[Mojo]

Those are british jobs for british people fish.

FTFY

 

[dudalb]

You have to wonder at this point, given what is going on n the UK, if the nations in the EU are not moving toward a "good riddence to bad garbage..we are better off without them" atitude toward the UK.

 

[a_unique_person]

You have to wonder at this point, given what is going on n the UK, if the nations in the EU are not moving toward a "good riddence to bad garbage..we are better off without them" atitude toward the UK.

I don't think so. Brexit has destabilized the whole EU. Now other countries are muttering about leaving.

 

[Wudang]

I don't think so. Brexit has destabilized the whole EU. Now other countries are muttering about leaving.

Evidence? The polls I've seen show most countries citizens realizing more what a good thing the EU is they see the train wreck the UK is becoming.