UK Water Sports Unites To Challenge Government

UK water sports have come together to urge the government to take urgent action to address pollution in rivers, lakes, and coastal waters.

According to BBC Sport, the Clean Water Alliance will unite The Angling Trust, British Rowing, British Triathlon, GB Outrigger, Paddle UK, Royal Yachting Association and Swim England to encourage the government go ‘further and faster’ in tackling water pollution.

The Alliance, which represents a combined 450,000 members, athletes and participants, says its aim is ‘to achieve healthy and nature-rich blue spaces across the UK for everyone to enjoy and to protect those they represent and the natural world in which they participate’.

The news comes at a time where there is widespread concern over the significant levels of sewage in Britain’s rivers, lakes, and coastal waters.  

Last month, the Boat Race was marred by Oxford men’s crew getting sick with E Coli amid high levels of sewage in the Thames.

The Clean Water Alliance has laid out a three-part strategy to improve water quality. This includes ‘further and faster action on pollution’ by improving the health of UK waters by 2030, enabling people to make ‘real-time informed choices about where and when to participate’ and ‘recognition of all recreational water users across decision making and policy.’

British Triathlon’s Chief Executive, Ruth Daniels, said, “For too long not enough has been done and we want to see real change to promote and protect clean open water here in the UK.

“By uniting to form this alliance, we want to make our collective voice heard for our members, athletes, participants and wider community, as well as the natural environment, both now and for generations to come.”

Cameron Taylor, Chief Executive of GB Outrigger, added, “As an alliance of governing bodies we are speaking out clearly, united as a group, that clean water is pivotal to our survival. Polluted water is a death knell for British sport. Clean water needs to move from being considered a ‘nice to have’ to a literal ‘we can’t live without’. Without clean water, we do not exist.”