A new report from the Royal Academy of Engineering (National Engineering Policy Centre) looks at the priorities for mitigating health risks from wastewater pollution.

This report examines the interventions available to reduce the public health risks associated with using open waters for recreation that may be polluted with faecal organisms from human waste in sewage.

It recognises the positive impact sustainable drainage systems (SuDS) have on our waterways and reducing the spread of water-borne diseases. The report begins with a forward from Prof Chris Whitty, the government’s Chief Medical Officer, that recommends incentivising private property owners to reduce hard surfaces and to promote SuDS as a means to manage surface water run-off.

It outlines 15 recommendations for water service providers, UK government, devolved administrations and public bodies to reduce public health risks posed by polluted water. The report’s findings are based on risk-based assessments and consultations with more than 100 engineers, wastewater experts, the water industry, campaign organisations and policymakers.

It focuses on the role of wastewater infrastructure in introducing primarily human faecal organisms into open water through storm overflows and treated wastewater. However, it does not look at agricultural runoff from livestock, wild animals, or septic tanks.

Recommendations include maintenance of assets by water companies, more monitoring and “near live” data for river and sea swimmers, reviewing bathing standards, reducing surface runoff and “wider deployment of disinfection” in wastewater and overflow treatment. It also calls on Defra to draw up a “joined up vision” for wastewater in the UK.

Read more here and download the full report

Reported by the BBC – Top engineers urge action against human waste in rivers