Sewage pollution in UK rivers has become a major problem, but it isn’t always that visible, with outlets tucked away from view.
Now, experts have imagined what our rivers might look like if the crisis isn’t addressed, using AI-generated images of our beloved watercourses.
Rotting fish bob in the Thames below Westminster Bridge, while algae and litter clog the Wye, the Ouse, the Eden and the Severn.
These are, of course, illustrations and not data-driven diagrams of what our rivers will look like in future. But the shock factor is intended to make people think about what we’re doing to our environment.
Water companies hit back, saying the images are fictional and would never happen, due to billions of pounds in investment to manage sewage better.
But Utility Bidder, a comparison firm for services like water and electricity, say in their Polluted Waters Report 2024 that our sewage issues are getting worse, with the number of recorded spills …