Rachel Salvidge @RachSalv Twitter profile

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Rachel Salvidge

1 year

Get the Guardian today for the launch of Watershed's series on PFAS pollution. And follow @watershed_i for lots more like this

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Rachel Salvidge

@RachSalv

1 year

PERSONAL ANNOUNCEMENT 📣 In January I’ll launch WATERSHED, an investigative journalism nonprofit that will focus on all things water. Backed by incredible grant funding orgs & generous donors, we will shine a light on pollution, resources, wildlife, climate & policy. More soon!

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Rachel Salvidge

@RachSalv

2 years

BREAKING: Water companies say they dumped raw sewage into rivers/coasts 372,533 times last year. For 2,667,452 hours. But this is just the tip of the shitberg. Masses of 'spills' unreported, not all outfalls monitored, and a spill that lasts for weeks will be counted as just one.

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Rachel Salvidge

@RachSalv

2 years

We made a film! Can't wait to show you all. Among the stars are three Environment Agency whistleblowers...

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Rachel Salvidge

@RachSalv

2 years

DEFRA very quietly dumping SEVENTEEN of this year's 24 biodiversity indicators, inc water quality, threatened habitats, farmland woodland & wetland species, seabirds, protected species distribution, marine pollution, invasive species and more...

‘Outright whitewash’: DEFRA ditches 17 biodiversity indicators

DEFRA will only report on seven out of a suite of 24 environmental indicators this year, excluding those on water quality, habitats and bird populations, despite green groups warning that the...

www.endsreport.com

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Rachel Salvidge

@RachSalv

2 years

2063! The date the government wants to set for getting rivers to 'good chemical status' (reminder: they ALL currently fail) is 2063! Talk about kicking the can down the road, the politicians won't only be out of power by then, they'll be dead. Possibly shortly after a wild swim.

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Rachel Salvidge

@RachSalv

2 years

BREAKING SEWAGE NEWS!! New green watchdog the @OfficeforEP has launched an investigation into the Environment Agency, Ofwat and DEFRA's regulation of the water sector's sewage dumping! Could this be the turning point for our rivers and seas? More to come later...

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Rachel Salvidge

@RachSalv

4 years

NOT ONE RIVER IN ENGLAND HAS PASSED THE LEGAL WATER QUALITY STANDARD. THEY HAVE ALL FAILED. We waited a long time for this and it was as bad as we thought.

All England’s rivers fail to meet legal water quality standards

Not one river or lake in England has met a legal water quality standard threshold, according to new official classifications released by DEFRA this morning.

www.endsreport.com

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Rachel Salvidge

@RachSalv

4 years

LEND ME YOUR OUTRAGE! ALL of England's rivers are polluted according to the government's latest assessment. If you think this should not be happening in the 21st century then pls share this thread far and wide and let's try to embarrass gov into doing something about it. 1/13

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Rachel Salvidge

@RachSalv

9 months

Gov’s response to widespread pollution of rivers & seas? -No chemical pollution tests for 6 yrs -No groundwater, coastal, canal or estuaries tested -Fewer ecological tests It’s all allowed under legal guidelines but that doesn’t mean it makes any sense

Fury as national health check of England’s waters faces six-year wait

Exclusive: Assessment that used to happen annually will now take six years despite rising concerns

www.theguardian.com

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Rachel Salvidge

@RachSalv

2 years

Whistleblowers at the Environment Agency told me they’re no longer able to do their jobs and that morale is rock bottom. Staff blow whistle on Environment Agency that ‘no longer deters polluters’

Staff blow whistle on Environment Agency that ‘no longer deters polluters’

Exclusive: Officers say cuts and operational decisions have made England’s regulator ‘toothless’

www.theguardian.com

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Rachel Salvidge

@RachSalv

1 year

Very excited to be launching WATERSHED, an investigative journalism nonprofit focusing on all things water, in January! Read more about it here, sign up to our newsletter, socials and donate, if you can...

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Rachel Salvidge

@RachSalv

2 years

What *exceptional* reason could there be for Northumbrian Water to be discharging raw sewage onto these beaches within the last 48hrs? Is it all the torrential rain we've been having of late? One man's been fighting the firm for decades to get this stopped. See next tweet.

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Rachel Salvidge

@RachSalv

6 years

Interesting exhibitors at the Conservative Party Conference #CPC2018 #CPC18

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Rachel Salvidge

@RachSalv

4 years

I’ve seen more ecologically diverse car parks. @GeorgeMonbiot

Yorkshire Dales National Park

@yorkshire_dales

4 years

Morning! If anything brings you some #MondayMotivation this view of walking in the beautiful #Howgills will do ☺️ Were you out and about in the #YorkshireDales this weekend? Let us know and share your photos ⬇️ 📷 Paul Harris

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Rachel Salvidge

@RachSalv

2 years

Great to see the Guardian putting my story about the Environment Agency cutting back it’s pollution work on its front page.

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Rachel Salvidge

@RachSalv

27 days

EXCLUSIVE sewage scandal update! You probably thought you knew the story by now. I’m sorry to say it’s worse than that. Four whistleblowers told me some shocking stuff…. Read on….

‘Dirty secret’: insiders say UK water firms knowingly break sewage laws

Exclusive: Whistleblowers point to broader sewage scandal, with wastewater systems manipulated to divert sewage

www.theguardian.com

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Rachel Salvidge

@RachSalv

2 years

It's time! Why are our rivers on their knees? ENDS' first ever film has some worrying answers... (I'm sorry, the film is free to view but you have to register to view it.)

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Rachel Salvidge

@RachSalv

2 years

Seas off the beautiful north Devon beaches a no go area due to sewage pollution. Infrastructure must be struggling to cope with all this rain.

People warned not to swim at Saunton Sands

One of Devon's most popular beaches has been labelled too polluted to swim in by the Environment Agency

www.devonlive.com

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Rachel Salvidge

@RachSalv

8 months

We’ve left the world stage. Now we’re in the cheap seats with an obstructed view and the person in front is wearing a stovepipe. Sunak avoiding UN climate summit over potential rejection

Rishi Sunak avoiding UN summit after being warned about potential rejection

Exclusive: PM risked embarrassment of downgraded status if UN deemed UK’s climate policies lacking ambition

www.theguardian.com

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Rachel Salvidge

@RachSalv

7 months

The Environment Agency has nearly halved water-use inspections in last five years… Exclusive: Drop in compliance visits in England described as ‘incredibly detrimental to water resources’ and wildlife

Environment Agency has nearly halved water-use inspections in last five years

Exclusive: Drop in compliance visits in England described as ‘incredibly detrimental to water resources’

www.theguardian.com

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Rachel Salvidge

@RachSalv

2 years

BREAKING: The Environment Agency has told its staff to ignore reports of low-impact pollution events, stating that it “does not have sufficient funding to continue to provide [its] current level of environment management incident response”.

‘Appalling scandal’: Fury as Environment Agency slashes pollution incident response action

EXCLUSIVE: The Environment Agency has told its staff to ignore reports of low-impact pollution events, stating that it “does not have sufficient funding to continue to provide [its] current level of...

www.endsreport.com

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Rachel Salvidge

@RachSalv

2 years

Er... Welsh Water? Why are you discharging sewage into the sea? Experienced many storms in the last 48 hours? Love this @sascampaigns map

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Rachel Salvidge

@RachSalv

11 months

Privatise the profits, socialise the losses. This is getting tedious. Contingency plans being drawn up for Thames Water collapse

Contingency plans being drawn up for Thames Water collapse

UK government and Ofwat holding discussions amid fears firm cannot survive because of huge debt pile

www.theguardian.com

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Rachel Salvidge

@RachSalv

3 years

Christ on a bike. I thought plastic grass was as low as you could go. Would love to see the net gain calculation behind this abomination.

Julia Bradbury I HAVEN'T BOUGHT BLUE TICK💙

@JuliaBradbury

3 years

This is a huge part of the problem. Developers not even to bother with green spaces & living things in out towns & cities. How many birds/bees/insects is a plastic hedge gonna attract? Where is the nature we all need @talklandscape members wouldn't do this 🤬💚 #urban #greenspaces

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Rachel Salvidge

@RachSalv

2 years

FARCICAL EXCLUSIVE ALERT! If I wasn't the one to write this story, I'd think it was a wind-up. Recall that massive £250m civil penalty DEFRA said it would let the EA levy against polluting water companies? Well, not only has the EA NEVER used it against water firms... 1/3

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Rachel Salvidge

@RachSalv

3 years

This is a shocking and dismaying act of wildlife vandalism. The river Lugg is legally protected yet someone has seen fit to literally bulldoze it to death.

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Rachel Salvidge

@RachSalv

2 years

Great read on the 2 men whose work can be credited with waking the EA and Ofwat from a deep sleep and forcing an investigation into sewage. And they’re very nice chaps too! ⁦ @watervole3 ⁩ ⁦ @ashsmith43 ⁩

Sewage sleuths: the men who revealed the slow, dirty death of Welsh and English rivers

The long read: A tide of effluent, broken laws and ruthless cuts is devastating the nations’ waterways. An academic and a detective have dredged up the truth of how it was allowed to happen – but...

www.theguardian.com

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Rachel Salvidge

@RachSalv

8 months

Another blow for nature. Government delays biodiversity net gain, which would compel developers to ensure the habitat for wildlife is in a better state than it was before development. Was supposed to be mandatory this year.

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Rachel Salvidge

@RachSalv

2 years

Yorkshire Water fined £1.6m for reckless sewage dumping. Judge said YW knew there were problems with its tanks. It knew the pumps were not in operation. It knew a discharge into the tank would cause an unlawful discharge into the river.

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Rachel Salvidge

@RachSalv

2 years

A little reminder about the management of the water sector as we brace for drought… Sewage spills highlight decades of under-investment at England’s water companies | Financial Times

Sewage spills highlight decades of under-investment at England’s water companies

Providers urged to clean up act after paying out £72bn in dividends and raising bills by 31% while cutting infrastructure spending

www.ft.com

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Rachel Salvidge

@RachSalv

1 year

Joy. England’s rivers will not meet standards for good chemical health until 2063 and will contain toxic substances for decades to come, according to government plans.

Why England’s rivers will remain polluted with toxic chemicals until 2063

England’s rivers will not meet legal standards for good chemical health until 2063 and will contain toxic substances for decades to come, according to government plans.

www.endsreport.com

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Rachel Salvidge

@RachSalv

3 months

72% of England's water is owned by shareholders based in 17 countries. They profit quite a lot, which might be OK if the system was working. But y'know, it's poomageddon, Mr Water Minister. Also water co bosses typically earn £million+ so won't be losing any sleep over this

Robbie Moore MP

@_RobbieMoore

3 months

❌ No-one should profit from polluting our waters. Today, we are cracking down with on water companies profiting from illegal behaviour. If water companies commit criminal breaches, their bosses should NOT be financially rewarded. More info 👉

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Rachel Salvidge

@RachSalv

2 years

If you listen very carefully you can hear conservationists' hearts sinking across the nation.

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Rachel Salvidge

@RachSalv

1 year

Progress!! DEFRA has announced that money from fines imposed by Ofwat and from Environment Agency prosecutions will go to Defra and will be invested in environmental and water quality improvement projects, instead of going back to the Treasury.

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Rachel Salvidge

@RachSalv

3 years

Yes, it is a WATERSHED moment for sewage pollution! Let’s keep it at the top of the agenda until we see real action.

Is this a watershed moment when it comes to sewage in England’s rivers and seas? | Rachel Salvidge

After a public outcry, the Tories are realising that effluent-dumping water companies need more than a ticking off, says environmental journalist Rachel Salvidge

www.theguardian.com

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Rachel Salvidge

@RachSalv

4 months

Here’s a sneak peak into what you can expect from the exciting new river pollution documentary from us @WATERSHED_i and @TheENDSReport coming soon. The inimitable @Feargal_Sharkey sets the scene…

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Rachel Salvidge

@RachSalv

7 months

Exclusive: Hundreds of potentially toxic road runoff outfalls polluting rivers A toxic cocktail of chemicals created by road pollution is flowing into rivers from 25,000+ outfalls & soakaways. No regulator is monitoring the impact on wildlife or health

Hundreds of potentially toxic road runoff outfalls polluting England’s rivers

Exclusive: No regulator is monitoring scale of impact of dangerous chemicals on wildlife or public health

www.theguardian.com

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Rachel Salvidge

@RachSalv

5 years

"A senior civil servant working inside the Department for Exiting the EU (DExEU) wrote to me earlier of what they are calling D1ND (Day One No Deal): “however bad it looks from the outside it is a thousand times worse from the inside.”" by @JolyonMaugham

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Rachel Salvidge

@RachSalv

1 year

So the government's 25-year environment plan, published in January 2018, turned out to be just another piece of paper whose only effective function was to convice people that something was being done. Empty ambition. Recovery booted into the long grass.

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Rachel Salvidge

@RachSalv

2 years

Here it is! Nearly. Watch the trailer to our new film, SEVERN: THE POISONING OF BRITAIN'S AMAZON here! The full film will be out on 27 September...

SEVERN - Official trailer

In ENDS' new film, SEVERN: The poisoning of Britain’s Amazon, Environment Agency whistleblowers, experts and people who live by and work with the river give ...

www.youtube.com

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Rachel Salvidge

@RachSalv

2 years

Last year water companies in Eng & Wales leaked 852.64 BILLION LITRES (341m Olympic pools) That’s 2.3bn l/day, up 2.8%. Worst by av l/d by property: Thames 161 Hafren 134 UU & Yorks 130 Aff 120 SW 118 Welsh 116 Sev T 112 Woke up thinking abt it. Send help!

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Rachel Salvidge

@RachSalv

4 years

Hurrah! Boris has announced new nature targets to help dodge the imminent ecological crisis! Wait. That's because we completely bombed on the last set of goals, which we had a DECADE to meet and now wildlife is clinging on by the skin of its teeth Let's take a closer look: 1/10

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Rachel Salvidge

@RachSalv

2 years

Makes a mockery of the agency’s claims that widespread dumping into rivers and seas in this way has only just recently come to light. Environment Agency knew sewage was being dumped into rivers years ago, leak reveals #sewagescandal

Environment Agency knew sewage was being dumped into rivers years ago, leak reveals

Exclusive: Revelation comes after agency’s chair told MPs in May the practice had only recently come to light

www.theguardian.com

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Rachel Salvidge

@RachSalv

2 years

Here's fun! A list of water-related laws & policies currently on the gov's (as yet unlit) bonfire. Water Framework Directive Urban Wastewater Directive Nitrates Directive Groundwater Directive Drinking Water Directive Bathing Water Directive Env Qual Standards Directive then...

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Rachel Salvidge

@RachSalv

1 year

I suppose DEFRA ought to have its budgets slashed, given that nature is thriving and our waters pristine. It's not as though we're living in one of the most nature-depleted countries in the world. 👀

Defra facing £500m real-terms cut after autumn statement

Exclusive: Critics say cut in day-to-day spending will leave department unable to properly tackle issues such as sewage spills

www.theguardian.com

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Rachel Salvidge

@RachSalv

4 years

Lovely to meet and interview the formidable @JolyonMaugham of the @GoodLawProject earlier this week. Fascinating to hear about ongoing and impending legal cases. Certain parties are not going to be happy. All will be revealed in the December issue of @TheENDSReport

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Rachel Salvidge

@RachSalv

3 months

We made a shocking new film…

watershed_investigations

@WATERSHED_i

3 months

Cancer-causing chemicals are contaminating the UK's rivers & seas. Our new film TOXIC for @TheENDSReport exposes pollution hotspots, reveals polluters & asks why this is being allowed to happen. Watch for free on 19/2

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Rachel Salvidge

@RachSalv

3 months

Why isn’t it illegal to dump high levels of cancer causing chemicals into protected rivers? Found out here 👇

Rachel Salvidge

@RachSalv

3 months

BREAKING: New @WATERSHED_i and @TheENDSReport film on PFAS forever chemical pollution in rivers around the UK is live now. HIGH/LOWLIGHTS: Carcinogen loads in the Mersey among highest recorded in the world. High concentrations dumped into Wyre. Watch:

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Rachel Salvidge

@RachSalv

8 months

"I don't think there are any words that are harsh enough to describe the cowardice with which this government is choosing to approach its climate obligations," @doug_parr @GreenpeaceUK 's chief scientist lets rip at the gov in our latest episode...

‎The WATERSHED investigations: Rishi Sunak and the blooms of doom on Apple Podcasts

‎Show The WATERSHED investigations, Ep Rishi Sunak and the blooms of doom - 21 Sept 2023

podcasts.apple.com

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Rachel Salvidge

@RachSalv

10 months

Shocking. This was on our radar too. very glad to see the coverage.

Exclusive: UK water companies have failed to replace three million toxic lead pipes

Exposure to lead over time, even at lower levels, can cause damage to the brain and nervous system in children.

www.newstatesman.com

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Rachel Salvidge

@RachSalv

3 years

The EA says it’s “treating this very seriously along with Natural England and the Forestry Commission who have taken immediate action in an attempt to prevent any further works at the site". It’s mounting a wide-ranging investigation with Natural England, the Forestry Comm etc

Rachel Salvidge

@RachSalv

3 years

This is a shocking and dismaying act of wildlife vandalism. The river Lugg is legally protected yet someone has seen fit to literally bulldoze it to death.

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Rachel Salvidge

@RachSalv

2 years

Occasionally I worry that my reporting paints too bleak a picture of life at DEFRA, the Environment Agency, Natural England etc. and then their staff VOTE IN FAVOUR OF STRIKE ACTION, in the EA's case for the first time in 26 YEARS, and I worry that it's not bleak enough. 1/4

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Rachel Salvidge

@RachSalv

1 year

A must-watch. People and local businesses taking the strain while water companies pollute... Brilliant work @Feargal_Sharkey

Good Morning Britain

@GMB

1 year

In an exclusive investigation, ＠Feargal_Sharkey visited the seaside town of Whitstable, to find out how sewage overflow is having a huge effect on local people, their businesses and their health.

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Rachel Salvidge

@RachSalv

7 months

Labour say they will get tough with water companies. Automatic fines. Mandatory monitoring of outfalls. Support nutrient neutrality. Legally binding reduction in sewage discharges. Reduce bonuses for failing company bosses. Principle of polluter pays upheld.

Steve Reed

@SteveReedMP

7 months

With Labour, the polluter - not the public - will pay

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Rachel Salvidge

@RachSalv

10 months

We know that PFOS and PFOA can be toxic and now we know PFHxS likely damages the thyroid and immune response in children, thanks to an EPA review. Lot more studies needed, as per. Forever chemicals, the gift that keeps on giving. More here:

Revealed: scale of ‘forever chemical’ pollution across UK and Europe

Major mapping project reveals PFAS have been found at high levels at thousands of sites

www.theguardian.com

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Rachel Salvidge

@RachSalv

8 months

Quick summary of the government’s latest environmental policy. All from this month… 🐟Attempts to scrap river protection rules. 🦋Delay to biodiversity improvement rules. 🛢️Approval for Rosebank oil field. 🚙Delay to ban on sale of new petrol and diesel cars. 🔥This is fine 🔥

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Rachel Salvidge

@RachSalv

1 year

The UK is one of the most nature depleted countries in the world. Can it get worse? It certainly looks that way… The Office for Environmental Protection says that none of the gov’s 23 environmental targets are on track.

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Rachel Salvidge

@RachSalv

2 years

Empty threat? Gov says it will raise the cap on civil penalties for sewage polluting water companies to a whopping £125m. BUT the Environment Agency has NEVER levied this type of fine against a water company in the 12 YEARS it has had the power to do so.

‘Hot air’: plans to crack down on UK water polluters dismissed as toothless

Exclusive: critics say stripped-down Environment Agency has not levied a fine in 12 years so no point to higher cap

www.theguardian.com

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Rachel Salvidge

@RachSalv

4 months

Environment Agency: PFAS is bad and it's everywhere, it's linked to cancer and it's polluting our rivers and seas. Also Environment Agency: let's invest pension fund money in PFAS companies!

Environment Agency invested £15m in ‘forever chemicals’

Taxpayers’ money pumped into companies that produce PFAS, despite health and environmental warnings

www.opendemocracy.net

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Rachel Salvidge

@RachSalv

1 year

‘Forever chemical’ pollution series day three… 1/2 UK risks falling behind Europe in controlling ‘forever chemicals

UK risks falling behind Europe in controlling ‘forever chemicals’

Only two of thousands of PFAS are regulated, while the EU is already contemplating stricter standards

www.theguardian.com

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Rachel Salvidge

@RachSalv

1 year

Not a good look. The global biodiversity conference COP15 opens on Wednesday and yet Defra hasn't published its own overarching water, nature, air and waste targets, despite being legally obliged to do so by the end of Oct. Awks.

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Rachel Salvidge

@RachSalv

7 months

This is road runoff from the A1(M) into the River Ivel. 25,000+ sites discharge rainwater potentially contam with metals, hydrocarbons, microplastics from main roads into rivers and on to land and noone is monitoring it. More here: Thanks to @IvelRev

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Rachel Salvidge

@RachSalv

6 months

Big news! We've been writing about PFAS pollution a lot and now one of them - PFOA - has been categorised as a carcinogen. It's been found in drinking water and PFAS are everywhere ‘Forever chemical’ in English tap water samples carcinogenic 1/6

‘Forever chemical’ in English tap water samples carcinogenic, WHO rules

Exclusive: Decision to categorise PFOA as linked to cancer in humans by World Health Organization increases pressure on UK government

www.theguardian.com

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Rachel Salvidge

@RachSalv

2 years

Fear not, anyone worried about the state of rivers in Wales. Natural Resources Wales is on the case. No, it's not going to end farm/sewage pollution, instead it's going to protect declining fish numbers by... considering licences to control (kill) fish-eating birds.

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Rachel Salvidge

@RachSalv

3 years

EXCLUSIVE: @Feargal_Sharkey and @JolyonMaugham are planning a legal challenge against a water firm in a test case that aims to put an end to systemic sewage pollution. 1/2

EXCLUSIVE: Sharkey and Maugham to sue water firm for sewage pollution

Musician and campaigner Feargal Sharkey and founder of the Good Law Project Jolyon Maugham QC are poised to launch a legal challenge against a water company for regularly polluting rivers with sewage.

www.endsreport.com

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Rachel Salvidge

@RachSalv

2 years

LEAK: Environment Agency has told call handlers to close reports of lower impact pollution incidents and instructed to “silently pass” those caused by water firms to team leaders, bypassing officers who would previously have decided how best to respond

Exclusive: EA to ‘silently pass’ water company pollution reports to team leaders

Environment Agency call handlers have been told to close reports of lower impact category 3 pollution incidents and instructed to “silently pass” those caused by water companies to team leaders,...

www.endsreport.com

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Rachel Salvidge

@RachSalv

2 years

"Appalling scandal." "Obscenity." "Death by a thousand cuts." A few choice responses to the news the Environment Agency is going to ignore reports of low-impact pollution events, altho how do you tell they're low-impact if you're ignoring them?

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Rachel Salvidge

@RachSalv

10 months

The Environment Agency was explicitly told by ministers not to enforce the rules

Simon Wightman

@SimonWightman

10 months

Covert lobbying of @DefraGovUK by @NFUtweets ensures the interests of a small number of polluting farmers are prioritised above the interests of healthy rivers for people and wildlife

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Rachel Salvidge

@RachSalv

2 years

The Shit Parade: United 81,588 Yorkshire 70,062 Severn Trent 59,684 South West 42,484 Northumbrian 36,483 Wessex 23,532 Anglian 21,351 Southern 19,077 Thames 14,713 Welsh (in Eng) 3,567

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Rachel Salvidge

@RachSalv

2 years

ONE TRILLION litres of water leaked by the water sector last year (that's more than 3.5 Lake Windermeres). Meanwhile, drought. See second tweet to find out who's the leakiest of them all. (1/2) My story here:

Water firms in England and Wales lost 1tn litres via leaky pipes in 2021

Regulator Ofwat says companies lost an average of 2,923.8m litres of water a day in 2021-22

www.theguardian.com

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Rachel Salvidge

@RachSalv

3 years

This is an emergency.

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Rachel Salvidge

@RachSalv

2 years

It’s not possible for the Environment Agency to know how much water is being taken out of rivers & groundwater because so many abstractions go unchecked and many rely on our old friend ‘self reporting’. Govs keep promising reform…

Environment Agency has ‘no idea’ how much water is taken, says whistleblower

Exclusive: most extraction points for rivers and groundwater not metered, so government relies on users’ honesty

www.theguardian.com

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Rachel Salvidge

@RachSalv

3 months

‘They lied’: plastics producers deceived public about recycling, report reveals

Companies knew for decades recycling was not viable but promoted it regardless, Center for Climate Integrity study finds

www.theguardian.com

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Rachel Salvidge

@RachSalv

2 years

The struggle began in 2000, when a retired engineer noticed that Northumbrian Water was allowing raw sewage to regularly flow onto Whitburn Beach near his home in Sunderland. He contacted the Environment Agency, believing it would come to his aid...

How the Environment Agency and a water firm discussed plans to silence residents over sewage...

Robert Latimer’s long-running struggle began in 2000, when the retired engineer noticed that Northumbrian Water was allowing raw human sewage to regularly flow onto Whitburn Beach near his home in...

www.endsreport.com

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Rachel Salvidge

@RachSalv

1 year

We have lift off. Get in touch with any issues related to water in terms of pollution, resources, wildlife, public health, environmental justice, policy, and the impacts of the climate crisis. And follow @WATERSHED_i

WATERSHED Investigations

Independent not-for-profit investigative journalism in the public interest. WATERSHED partners with national and international media to run high impact articles and investigations focusing on all...

watershedinvestigations.com

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Rachel Salvidge

@RachSalv

9 months

And that would be counted as just one spill if it’s continuous. Discharges that have lasted weeks have been counted as just one.

Prof Jamie Woodward

@Jamie_Woodward_

9 months

This is why we need VOLUME data from every WWTW. Not all spills are the same! Existing metrics allow water companies to routinely hide huge sewage dumps. This outfall from Bolton WWTW dumped sewage into the River Irwell for 1845 hours in 2022.

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Rachel Salvidge

@RachSalv

2 years

Are the wheels coming off the Environment Agency? A thread 1/8

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Rachel Salvidge

@RachSalv

2 years

The government has retracted ‘unlawful’ pollution guidance for England’s farms after threat of legal action from ⁦ @SalmonTroutCons ⁩ My story this morning…

Government retracts ‘unlawful’ pollution guidance for England’s farms

Advice that allowed farmers to spread manures in a way that risked polluting waters has been changed by Defra

www.theguardian.com

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Rachel Salvidge

@RachSalv

1 year

We found high levels of ‘forever chemicals’ PFAS, described as the one of biggest problem facing mankind in the 21st century, polluting a river from the site of a chemical company in Lancashire Day 2 of @WATERSHED_i investigation #ForeverPollution

Toxic substances from chemicals firm site found polluting protected river

Guardian investigation reveals ‘extremely high levels’ of toxic effluent in Lancashire river

www.theguardian.com

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Rachel Salvidge

@RachSalv

1 year

Ministers told to get a grip on scale of ‘forever chemicals’ pollution in UK 2/2

Ministers told to get a grip on scale of ‘forever chemicals’ pollution in UK

Tougher regulations needed now, says Green MP Caroline Lucas as Tory colleague calls for monitoring

www.theguardian.com

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Rachel Salvidge

@RachSalv

6 months

New from us! Potentially toxic PFAS “forever chemicals” have been detected in the drinking water sources at 17 of 18 England’s water companies, with 11,853 samples testing positive, something experts say they are “extremely alarmed” by.

‘Forever chemicals’ found in drinking water sources across England

Exclusive: Experts ‘alarmed’ after potentially toxic chemicals detected in sources at 17 of England’s 18 water firms

www.theguardian.com

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Rachel Salvidge

@RachSalv

3 years

The shitstorm continues. It seems the House of Lords wasn't impressed by the government's attempts to appease them on sewage pollution by promising to table its own amendment to the Environment Bill. Peers voted their own amendment through anyway.

Government fails to dodge sewage pollution defeat

The government failed to head off defeat in the House of Lords last night after peers voted overwhelmingly in favour of an amendment to the Environment Bill, which would place a duty on water firms...

www.endsreport.com

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Rachel Salvidge

@RachSalv

1 year

THE SHIT PARADE 💩 United Utilities: 425,000 hrs South West: 290,000 hrs Sev Trent: 249,000 hrs Yorkshire: 232,000 hrs Southern: 147,000 hrs Wessex: 130,000 hrs Northumbrian: 108,000 hrs Anglian: 90,000 hrs Thames: 75,000 hrs

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Rachel Salvidge

@RachSalv

1 year

Lots of applications for river bathing water designations declined. Could it be because the monitoring would reveal the water to be very poor quality, which wld also make the country’s bathing water stats look bad? I wonder… 👀

Campaigners slam government river bathing decision

Just one river included in government's proposal for new designated swimming sites

www.bbc.co.uk

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Rachel Salvidge

@RachSalv

1 year

PFAS ANNOUNCMENT The US Environmental Protection Agency has lowered acceptable limits of PFAS in drinking water to 4ng/l. The UK drinking water guideline? 100ng/l 🥤🥤🥤🥤

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Rachel Salvidge

@RachSalv

2 years

Late to this today but looks like we're going to have to wait TWENTY EIGHT YEARS before the water sector must 'improve' all raw discharges. Happy with that?

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Rachel Salvidge

@RachSalv

4 years

Let's get ready to rumble! Feargal's assembled a "crack legal team" to hold the government to account for its rivers management. “Government has proved incapable of being held to account and we’re going to change that.” @Feargal_Sharkey @JolyonMaugham

EXCLUSIVE: Feargal Sharkey set to launch legal action against government over water quality...

Former Undertones frontman turned rivers campaigner Feargal Sharkey has assembled a "crack legal team" and is poised to launch a judicial review over the government’s approach to managing England’s...

www.endsreport.com

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Rachel Salvidge

@RachSalv

4 years

I've asked to interview @JamesBevanEA @EmmaEHoward George Eustice @pow_rebecca etc about this (among other things) but @DefraGovUK @EnvAgency press office told me they were unavailable, which is odd, because I didn't specify a time or date.

How clean are England's rivers? The latest report makes for uncomfortable reading | Rachel Salvidge

All the country’s water bodies are polluted beyond legal limits, says environmental journalist Rachel Salvidge

www.theguardian.com

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Rachel Salvidge

@RachSalv

2 years

Shit Creek is all around us and someone’s hidden the paddles… 1/2

How to turn England’s rivers from filthy sewers into shining streams | Rachel Salvidge

Community groups are starting to take matters into their own hands, says environmental journalist Rachel Salvidge

www.theguardian.com

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Rachel Salvidge

@RachSalv

2 years

EXCLUSIVE: Environment Agency whistleblowers tell me pay is so poor people are leaving to work at supermarkets. Meanwhile overstretched & under-resourced env officers are being tasked with chasing debts, bcs contractors/finance depts are 'too busy'! NUTS.

Whistleblowers: Staff ‘can’t afford to work at the Environment Agency’

EXCLUSIVE: Low salaries coupled with a rising cost of living has led to an exodus of staff from the Environment Agency, deep cuts in institutional expertise and is making recruitment “a nightmare”,...

www.endsreport.com

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Rachel Salvidge

@RachSalv

2 years

... the Environment Agency also CANNOT use it against the water sector because the penalties (called variable monetary penalties) do not apply to the environmental permitting regime, which cover sewage pollution. Cock up or conspiracy? You decide... 2/3

EXCLUSIVE: DEFRA plan to punish sewage polluters exposed as ‘pantomime’

DEFRA’s recently announced plan to slap huge financial penalties on sewage-polluting water companies has been branded a “gross error” or a “full on pantomime” because it would not apply to illegal...

www.endsreport.com

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Rachel Salvidge

@RachSalv

2 years

More on the dismaying situation at the Environment Agency by me and ⁦ @sandralaville ⁩ ‘It is desperate’: how Environment Agency staff were silenced as pollution worsened

‘It is desperate’: how Environment Agency staff were silenced as pollution worsened

As public disgust at foul waterways in England grew, the body responsible for protecting them tried to stifle internal criticism

www.theguardian.com

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Rachel Salvidge

@RachSalv

1 year

Exclusive: Environment Agency finds ‘very persistent, mobile and toxic’ PFAS in effluent legally discharged near Wyre estuary Another PFAS scoop from @WATERSHED_i

Firm releases almost 800kg of ‘forever chemical’ a year into Lancashire river

Exclusive: Environment Agency finds ‘very persistent, mobile and toxic’ PFAS in effluent legally discharged near Wyre estuary

www.theguardian.com

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Rachel Salvidge

@RachSalv

10 months

Please only refer to us henceforth as ‘award-winning journalist Leana/Rachel’. We won’t respond to anything else. Thanks to the awesome ⁦ @leanahosea ⁩ ⁦ @ginger_journo ⁩ ⁦ @SpitfireKids ⁩ ⁦ @DimitriHoutart ⁩ and to @absw ⁦ @royalsociety ⁩

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Rachel Salvidge

@RachSalv

2 years

Here's the previous story, already pretty embarrassing... 3/3

‘Hot air’: plans to crack down on UK water polluters dismissed as toothless

Exclusive: critics say stripped-down Environment Agency has not levied a fine in 12 years so no point to higher cap

www.theguardian.com

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Rachel Salvidge

@RachSalv

5 months

What's going on in the seas around the UK? @leanahosea and I mapped the demands on the seabed for this Sunday Times piece! We need more wind & we need it to be designed in a way that enhances biodiversity for a massive win-win for wildlife and people.

The Times & The Sunday Times

News and opinion from The Times & The Sunday Times

www.thetimes.co.uk

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Rachel Salvidge

@RachSalv

2 years

The plot thickens. Northumbrian Water says the discharges didn't happen and that a power failure triggered the app. But two people say they saw it.

Rachel Salvidge

@RachSalv

2 years

What *exceptional* reason could there be for Northumbrian Water to be discharging raw sewage onto these beaches within the last 48hrs? Is it all the torrential rain we've been having of late? One man's been fighting the firm for decades to get this stopped. See next tweet.

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Rachel Salvidge

@RachSalv

1 year

'Forever chemicals' PFAS pollution is rampant and it's not going away. Watershed & Guardian launch a major PFAS series today, in collab w Le Monde & many excellent European media. More to come from @leanahosea & I over the next few days 1/4

Revealed: scale of ‘forever chemical’ pollution across UK and Europe

Major mapping project reveals PFAS have been found at high levels at thousands of sites

www.theguardian.com

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Rachel Salvidge

@RachSalv

2 years

Gov: "By 2050, no storm overflows will be permitted to operate outside of unusually heavy rainfall or to cause any adverse ecological harm." TWENTY EIGHT YEARS to get to the place we're supposed to have been at all along. And this does not say that the sewage dumping will end.

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Rachel Salvidge

@RachSalv

4 months

Gov to close the North Sea sandeel fisheries and restrict damaging bottom trawling on reef and rock habitats. Be great to extend that across all marine ‘protected’ areas.

Nature recovery to be accelerated as the government delivers on measures to protect land and sea

One year on since the publication of the Environmental Improvement Plan, the government launches new measures to halt and reverse nature’s decline

www.gov.uk

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