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River Wye

All articles tagged with #river wye

Landmark High Court bid blames poultry farming and sewage for River Wye pollution
environment1 month ago

Landmark High Court bid blames poultry farming and sewage for River Wye pollution

More than 4,500 residents near the River Wye and its catchment in Wales and England have launched what is described as the UK’s largest environmental pollution claim against Avara Foods and Welsh Water, alleging that spreading chicken manure and sewage spills have caused nutrient pollution and algal blooms that degrade river health and affect livelihoods. The case, brought by Leigh Day, marks a landmark in UK environmental litigation with a High Court hearing in London, while the defendants deny the allegations; Natural England has previously rated the Wye as unfavourable–declining, linking the issues to farming, wastewater and climate factors.

"Community-led Efforts Preserve UK's Historic River"
environment2 years ago

"Community-led Efforts Preserve UK's Historic River"

Citizen scientists, led by Pat Stirling, have been monitoring pollution levels in the River Wye, a historic river on the border between England and Wales. Their data has revealed a pollution problem caused mainly by chicken manure from intensive poultry units along the river. The river's water quality rating has been downgraded, and important species like Atlantic salmon and white-clawed crayfish have declined. Avara Foods, a chicken processing plant in the area, has pledged to change contracts to prevent the sale of manure within the Wye catchment area by 2025. The citizen scientists hope that their efforts and data will help save the river from further degradation.