Channel 4 News questions bathing water data and greenwashing of sewage narrative
Almost twice as many English bathing waters would fail pollution tests if the regulator wasn’t legally allowed to disregard some of the worst results according to a Channel 4 News investigation aired last Thursday.
Using Freedom of Information requests, the programme reported Environment Agency chief executive, Philip Duffy, had said in an email that the number of Poor rated bathing waters would have doubled and there would have been 13 fewer Excellent rated waters if tests taken during short term no-swim warnings were included in official bathing water results, rather than being discounted as is legally allowed.
The email was sent following concern raised by then secretary of state Therese Coffey that no-swim warnings “might be adding fuel to the persistent negative narrative from the media and campaign groups around sewage,” the programme reported. It went on to cover a discussion between officials on how pollution risk warnings for bathers might be “better presented”.
Campaigners interviewed by Channel 4 were angered by what was described as collusion across government to paint a better picture, with some saying they did not trust official data.
The programme reported the EA and Defra’s response, which included that the testing process followed World Health Organisation standards and no changes were introduced following the discussion on how pollution risk warnings should be delivered.
In reaction, Environmental Audit Committee chair, Philip Dunne MP, said: “Channel 4’s findings following its investigations are concerning. It would have been unacceptable for the Environment Agency or the Government to present information in a misleading way in an attempt to change the narrative: you simply cannot sugarcoat dangerous pollution events. I am therefore pleased to note that none of the presentational measures proposed were taken forward.
“The Committee will be raising the issue of the presentation of water quality data with the current environment secretary, and with the regulators, at an early opportunity.”
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