Rivers in English and Welsh National Parks Suffer Sewage Pollution at Twice the National Rate

Published: 16 September ‘2025. The English Chronicle Desk

Rivers within England and Wales’ national parks are experiencing sewage pollution at twice the rate found elsewhere, according to new findings. Campaigners have condemned the situation as “outrageous,” stressing that these protected waterways should be the cleanest in the country.

Research by the Campaign for National Parks (CNP) and the Rivers Trust revealed 464 water company overflow sites within national parks, with each site averaging 549 hours of sewage discharge in 2024—equivalent to eight hours daily over two months. Overall, national park rivers were subjected to 254,808 hours of sewage spills last year.

The report also highlights that over half of the rivers in national parks failed to meet the legally mandated “good ecological status.” In addition to sewage, agricultural runoff containing slurry, fertiliser, and pesticides is contributing to the environmental decline. Dartmoor, the South Downs, the Broads, and Eryri (Snowdonia) were identified as the most affected parks.

National parks are home to globally recognised wetlands, chalk streams, and diverse wildlife including salmon, beavers, water voles, bitterns, and eels. They attract millions of visitors and play a critical role in mitigating downstream flood risks.

Campaigners are urging the government to implement stricter regulations, promised earlier this year, and to upgrade all sewage treatment facilities within national parks to the same standards as more populated regions. Evidence suggests wildlife is faring worse inside these protected areas than outside.

Dr Rose O’Neill, chief executive of CNP, warned that rivers in national parks are “being poisoned, drained, and neglected” due to ageing, inadequate infrastructure. David Johnson of the Rivers Trust described the findings as a “tragic tale of underinvestment and mismanagement,” calling for urgent action to halt ongoing pollution.

Sewage pollution has become a significant political issue. In July, the government pledged the largest overhaul of water regulation since 1989, promising new legislation in 2026. Despite assurances from officials including flooding minister Emma Hardy, the new regulations have yet to be enacted.

DEFRA stated that the government is investing £104bn to rebuild sewage infrastructure and reduce pollution. Data from the CNP-Rivers Trust report shows that combined sewage overflows (CSOs), meant to occur only during extreme rainfall, are discharging far more frequently in national parks.

Dartmoor recorded the highest total hours of sewage releases at 49,076, followed by Eryri with 47,187. Other severely affected parks included the South Downs, Broads, and the New Forest. Only Northumbria and North York Moors had sewage spill rates lower than the national average.