A team of Royal Academy of Engineering scientists say the risk from human faeces is increasing.

Human faeces in our rivers is putting the public in danger and the risk will increase without action, the UK’s top engineers and scientists have warned in a report.

The report led by the Royal Academy of Engineering called for an upgrade of the UK’s sewage system and more widespread testing of the country’s waterways.

Despite improvements in the UK’s water quality, external over the last thirty years, raw sewage overflowing into rivers and seas remains a persistent problem. Last year on average there were 1,271 spills a day in England - a doubling on the previous year.

Consumption of water contaminated with human faeces exposes people to bacteria such as salmonella and E.coli which cause diarrhoea and vomiting or viruses like hepatitis A which can lead to liver infection.

    • qyron@sopuli.xyz
      1·
      6 months ago

      I’d risk they mean the actual water ways that traverse the country.

      In England they just privatized water and sanitation services, which simply spells disaster: these are expensive systems to maintain and demand constant renewal and upkeep. Privates aim for profits, which are made by cutting costs, not a sustained reinvestment scheme to constantly provide better and better service.