Stream fans are horrified by drug pollution

Thousands of people will take to London on Sunday for a family rally to highlight the importance of clean water in their lives. The BBC spoke to residents living near one rural waterway, which scientists have found has the second highest level of active pharmaceutical pollution in the UK.

“You’d think that we as a country would be able to look after our most pristine landscapes,” says cold-water swimmer Joe Broughton.

Joe Broughton hasn’t dived into Tideswell Brook, in the heart of the Peak District National Park, since August.

One of the reasons lies in the results of a study which showed that the creek has the second highest level of active pharmaceutical pollution in the UK – drugs such as antidepressants and antibiotics have been found in the water.

StudyA study published in August by Professor Alistair Boxall of the University of York and the Rivers Trust found that concentrations of pharmaceuticals recorded at Tideswell Brook were at levels dangerous to both human health and the environment.

One possible reason, according to Professor Boxall, is a higher average age, with the older population using and flushing out more medications.

Ms Broughton, 44, has not swum there since learning about it, fearing it would develop antibiotic resistance and risk her health.

“By going into the water, I am exposed to antibiotics, antidepressants and other medications that I did not take,” she added.

Tideswell and the county’s environmental group held an open meeting for local residents to express concerns and anger about contamination of a local stream.

“It scares me to think that this creek is more polluted now than when we first came here 27 years ago,” says Lyn Crow, chairman of the environmental group.

Jill Turner, local resident and open water swimmer, said: “When we found out about antidepressants we laughed about it at first because you actually feel really relaxed when you swim in cold water!

“But what the hell is he doing in our rivers?”

The creek is a Site of Special Scientific Interest; recognized as important for the reproduction of key species and the wider wildlife ecosystem.

The study found that 31 active pharmaceutical ingredients were detected at 52 of 54 sampling sites taken during the winter and summer of 2022 in 10 protected national parks in England.

Active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) refer to medications that are biologically active and can end up in our rivers when people flush medications down the toilet or when our bodies eliminate them after use.

Professor Boxall said: “We found the highest concentrations of pollutants in areas we are trying to protect environmentally. It’s a little stupid in my opinion.”

Tests were carried out in Tideswell Brook for concentrations of active pharmaceutical ingredients higher than those previously recorded in major cities, including London.

Professor Boxall says this could be due to several reasons:

• Low water flows in national parks mean less dilution of concentrated pharmaceuticals.
• Higher average age, with older populations using and flushing more medications.
• The large number of tourists contributes to the pollution of local wastewater.
• There is a lack of infrastructure to remove pharmaceuticals from wastewater, and water companies are increasingly using overflows.

A march in London on Sunday, organized by the charity River Action, will call on authorities to take action against people and companies polluting rivers, lakes and seas.

An EPA spokesperson said: “We are working closely with other regulators and the water industry to better understand how pharmaceutical compounds enter our aquatic environment.

“We have developed an early warning system to identify contaminants of concern to ensure any potential risks to surface water, groundwater and soils are addressed.

“We are also collaborating with the pharmaceutical and veterinary industry through a UK cross-government platform to share knowledge about pharmaceuticals in the environment.”

Severn Trent Water said: “Currently no wastewater treatment plant in England is designed specifically to treat pharmaceuticals.

“Tideswell provides secondary treatment alongside tertiary phosphate removal and the process used is not significantly different from what would be seen on much larger sites.”

A spokesman for the UK government’s Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs said: “We have already announced a rapid review of our environmental improvement plan, which will include how best to manage chemicals.”

Steve Reid, Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, said: “I share the public’s anger over this issue and are taking immediate steps to clean up our rivers, lakes and seas.

“This is why we subject water companies to special measures through water billwhich will strengthen regulation, including new powers to ban bonuses for water pollution and bring criminal charges against persistent lawbreakers.

“Just last week I launched the biggest review of the water sector since privatization to address long-term weaknesses in the sector, drive investment to improve the environment and put our water sector on a sustainable footing.”