‘Chemical cocktail’ in England’s polluted rivers putting public and wildlife at risk, say MPs

A chemical cocktail of sewage, agricultural waste, and plastic is polluting the rivers of England.

That’s the stark conclusion of a report from the cross-party Environmental Audit Committee of MPs.

Accusing successive governments, water companies and the regulator of complacency, they describe an underfunded and ineffective enforcement regime that has failed to prioritise both biodiversity and investment in improved infrastructure.