Shocking pollution of our waterways

ACROSS Yeovil, our rivers and streams are part of everyday life, whether it’s walking along the River Yarty, enjoying wildlife, or letting the kids paddle during the summer months. But sadly, these places are being polluted on a shocking scale. Raw sewage was discharged into local rivers for more than 16,600 hours last year alone.

- By Adam Dance, MP for Yeovil

ACROSS Yeovil, our rivers and streams are part of everyday life, whether it’s walking along the River Yarty, enjoying wildlife, or letting the kids paddle during the summer months. But sadly, these places are being polluted on a shocking scale. Raw sewage was discharged into local rivers for more than 16,600 hours last year alone.

Official House of Commons Library figures for 2024 show 1,940 sewage spills across the Yeovil constituency from 53 different storm overflows. Just one site in Tatworth was responsible for 210 separate spills, and that’s just one example of the damage being done to our environment.