Torbay MP Adrian Sanders calls for government to improve river quality

Torbay MP Adrian Sanders is supporting a petition in Parliament to raise the average river water quality of England and Wales.

According to the European Water Framework Directive, a body which measures the chemical and biological health of water bodies, only 21 per cent. of rivers in England are ecologically in good condition.

Improving water quality could boost England’s economy by generate up to £3.6 billion. Despite this, the Environment Agency currently aims to increase England’s river water quality by only 5 per cent by 2015.

The motion calls for the Environment Agency to set more strident standards for river water quality, which would benefit a range of rivers across Devon as well as a number of streams in Torbay that have been blamed for contributing to poor bathing water levels.

Adrian told the Devon Week: “Tackling water pollution is an urgent priority and the Environment Agency must set higher targets to ensure the problem is effectively tackled.

“Rivers make a significant contribution not only to our local environments but also the tourist industry and it is essential that we protect them for future generations.”

(from a press release)

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