Clean Rivers March: A Powerful show of Public Outrage as Environmental Protestors Call for Action on Water Pollution

Written by Linda Aitchison

Around 15,000 protesters flooded central London streets this weekend as they called for urgent action on water pollution.

More than 130 organisations supported yesterday’s march, organised by River Action, including the National Trust, RSPB, Women’s Institute, WWF, and Greenpeace.

Dressed in blue, protestors formed a ‘human river’ as they walked along the bank of the Thames while others donned life-size poo emoji costumes to highlight the mucky state of UK waterways. 

Carrying placards including ‘toads not turds,’ and ‘species not faeces’ campaigners urged Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer to immediately end pollution.

Organisers said the march was a powerful show of public outrage. 

Chris Packham said: “Today has proved that a lot of people are pissed off and sick of being shat upon by a water industry that has gone down the pan. 

“It’s neither a mystery why this has happened nor how it needs fixing, but it needs fixing now and that means decisive governmental interventions must be made. Because delays mean death, the death of our precious ecosystems and all that beautiful wildlife that should be prospering in them. 

“So, what is it going to take, because human fatalities are also a real possibility when our water is so polluted. And please be aware, this isn’t all about sewage, agricultural run-off is also a killer and must be properly regulated. Today we kicked up a stink, if politicians don’t listen, we will get a lot smellier.”

“Around three quarters of our water companies; ownership is by foreign investors and companies and governments. So that’s where your money is going. By 2029 it is likely that bills will rise by another 50%. This must stop.  It’s extortion put under a protected financial wrapper.  I’m happy to march with thousands of people who think the same.

“What this march has done is bring together hundreds of groups of people in a huge Venn diagram where the key issues we all hold dear crossover.  There is power in people coming together. I’m proud to march.”

Charles Watson, Chair of River Action, the celebrated the diverse and inclusive nature of the march. He said:“This movement is unlike anything we’ve seen before. Families, communities, and organisations from across the UK have risen in outrage at the state of our rivers, lakes and seas. The Government’s first 100 days in power are up. The time for excuses is over. We’re here to hold the Government accountable to the election promises previously made and make sure they deliver on them to clean up our long-suffering waters once and for all.”

Women’s Institute Chief Executive, Melissa Green told crowds at a rally in Parliament Square after the march from Albert Enbankment: “The time to act must be now, we’re proactively working with industry and decision makers to ensure that microplastics are not going into our water

“Our waterways are being wantonly and knowingly damaged.

“Clean water is a right, and we are determined to be the last generation that has to stand here and demand it”

River Action’s protest called on water bosses and the government to:

• End pollution for profit by greedy water companies and other industries which have poisoned waters and exposed communities to dangerous health risks, prioritising clean water for everyone.

• Tackle the other major polluter  – intensive agriculture: This industry’s unchecked practices have led to ecocide, devastating ecosystems and rivers like the Wye, with species on the brink of localised extinction. They say: “It’s time for stronger enforcement of regulations to police intensive agriculture to ensure sustainable practices and protect our rivers from further damage.”

• Reform environmental regulators: River Action added:”Our current regulatory system of environmental regulation has failed and must be reformed to ensure it is  effective, accountable, and transparent. Regulators must have the funding, power and independence to hold all polluters to account, free from any pressure or influence that might compromise their duty to protect our environment.”

Enforce existing laws: As a former Chief Prosecutor, Keir Starmer must demonstrate his commitment to abiding by the law of the land and to clean-up our waterways. Strict enforcement and significant financial penalties are key to creating a strong deterrent against illegal pollution. By ensuring these laws are not just in place but actively upheld, we can build a future where our waterways are truly protected.

About the author

Linda Aitchison is an experienced freelance Travel, Business and Environmental Journalist