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The equivalent of 240 Olympic-sized swimming pools of sewage-contaminated water could be entering the River Roding every year in Essex and north-east London, according to a new study.<\/p>\n
Volunteers estimate around 600 million litres of polluted water may be flowing into the Roding and its tributaries annually.<\/p>\n
One of the biggest problems is sewer misconnections according to the environmental charities Thames21 and the River Roding Trust.<\/p>\n
This is when wastewater from homes or businesses is incorrectly connected to pipes designed to carry rainwater, allowing sewage to flow into rivers instead of being taken away for treatment.<\/p>\n
Examples include toilets, washing machines or other wastewater appliances connected to the wrong pipe.<\/p>\n
The study identifies Cran Brook, a tributary of the Roding, as the single biggest source of sewage pollution found in the Lower Roding.<\/p>\n
Researchers say widespread misconnections and faulty drainage infrastructure around the brook are allowing sewage-contaminated water to enter the river.<\/p>\n
Pollution is also coming from a historic landfill site.<\/p>\n
Liquid known as landfill leachate can carry harmful chemicals and other pollutants as it moves through waste and into the surrounding environment.<\/p>\n
Environmental charities behind the research are calling for urgent action to stop the pollution at its source.<\/p>\n
They want Cran Brook made a priority for restoration, including repairs to sewage infrastructure and action to correct misconnections.<\/p>\n
They are also calling for wetlands and other nature-based solutions to help remove pollutants before they reach the river.<\/p>\n