14/10/2026
Here’s my unedited contribution. A simple question for Yorkshire Water: how much sewage are you actually putting into our river?
We want proper figures: the volume discharged, what’s in it and the impact on the receiving water.
Because counting discharge events and hours doesn’t tell us the whole story.
At Calder Conservation Group, we spend our time beside—and cleaning up—the River Calder. We regularly find condoms, wet wipes, sanitary products and other sewage-related debris across its banks.
People shouldn’t flush these products. But that doesn’t remove the responsibility to prevent them reaching our rivers.
Why should unpaid volunteers be left collecting waste that should have been kept out of the water in the first place?
We need effective screening, transparent monitoring and accountability. We need pollution prevented, rather than another clean-up after the damage is done.
I’m proud of our volunteers. I’m frustrated that their goodwill keeps being needed for this.
Yorkshire Water—what is your answer?
What have you seen in your local river? Tell us where and what you found. Share this so the questions reach beyond the people already doing the clean-up.
Support the campaign and contact your MP through cleanthebill.org.
