Main menu For students For teachers Explore our subjects Student events & courses

Explore

More for students
Sign in

Teaching Geography

In the News

All UK fresh water bodies are above the legal pollution limit

Joanne Parkinson

26th September 2020

Share this content:

The river & lake health assessments which have produced these latest findings were carried out by the Environment Agency.

The last survey which was carried out in 2016 found that only 14% of the UK water bodies were at the right standard and now none are.

Many of the substances are hazardous and are linked to old mining works as well as pollution runoff from urban practices. What is very concerning is that the chemical condition of our fresh water is now rated at 0% compared to 97% chemically healthy in 2016. Many chemicals bioaccumulate and have been found in predators which will then impact the food chain.

For more information on this story, check out the following article:

https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/sep/25/england-rivers-polluted-beyond-legal-limits

Share this content:

Joanne Parkinson

An experienced, outstanding Geography teacher, GCSE examiner and Head of Humanities in a 11-18 school. I'm passionate about all geographical events and am a keen blogger.

You might also like

Topic Video for AQA GCSE Geography | Transport in London (UK city study: London 7)

Topic Videos

Topic Video for AQA GCSE Geography | Urban greening in London (UK city study: London 8)

Topic Videos

Topic Video for AQA GCSE Geography | Local impacts of deforestation (Tropical rainforests 6)

Topic Videos

GCSE Geography | Local impacts of deforestation (Tropical rainforests 6)

Study Notes

Topic Video for AQA GCSE Geography | Human causes of climate change (Climate change 4)

Topic Videos

GCSE Geography | Human causes of climate change (Climate change 4)

Study Notes

Making A Meal Of Single-use Plastic

20th September 2022

What’s Ocean Plastic Pollution Got To Do With Climate Change?

7th September 2022