End Water Pollution in National Parks

National Park waterways are iconic. But although they look the very image of perfection, under the surface lies a dirty secret.  

Every single lake, river and stream in England’s National Parks is polluted. Only 1 water body in Welsh National Parks meets the highest standards we all expect.

The waterways of the National Parks are the lifeblood of these landscapes. Every year, millions of people explore their rivers, pools, lakes and wetlands. From the Lake District to the Broads, the waterfalls of Bannau Brycheiniog to the chalk streams of the South Downs, these waters are world-renowned and beloved by the nation.

For far too long, water companies and regulators have neglected, ignored and undermined National Park status. The result is that National Parks have become national pollution hotspots. The water clean-up must start in National Parks.

Write to your MP to help end water pollution

The situation stinks

The waters in our National Parks are polluted in many ways, including sewage dumping, toxic chemicals, farm manure and pesticides.

Even in the most pristine rivers and lakes in England’s National Parks, traces of toxic chemicals including mercury and other priority hazardous substances are found. Because of these toxic chemicals, which can remain in the ecosystem for decades, not a single water body in an English National Park is in good overall health. 

Water company sewage pollution is one of the main reasons for failing health due to illegal sewage dumping, a lack of enforcement and poor water company planning. Many sewage treatment works are old and undersized. Often, the wastewater treatment works in National Parks are designed to much weaker standards than those in towns and cities meaning they can’t deal with the huge numbers of people, and their waste, who now visit National Parks every year.

water pollution in National Parks

Pulling the plug on pollution

At Campaign for National Parks we’re working hard for clean water protections across all our National Parks. For far too long, water companies and regulators have largely neglected and ignored National Park status, and it is time that they recognise this international nature designation. It will be impossible to conserve and enhance wildlife and the natural beauty of the Parks without urgent action on water.  

We are calling for:

• Strong clean water protections
• Legally binding requirements to clean up the lakes, rivers and streams within National Parks
• Government, regulators and companies required to prioritise National Park waters and take all action necessary to ensure these waterways achieve at least Good Ecological Status by 2027, with High Status achieved in iconic sites such as Lake Windermere and the Broads.

You can help us end water pollution in National Parks by writing to your representative today.

Sources

The source for our data comes from our 2024 Health Check Report which analysed data from the Environment Agency, Rivers Trust and Natural Resources Wales.

More in depth data on the health of rivers and lakes in National Parks in England and Wales can be found on our clean water protections page.

Data on the water bodies featured in our billboards can be found here.

For any further information or enquiries please email info@cnp.org.uk

Main image: River Usk, Bannau Brycheiniog © Christopher O’Brien