Wild swimmer says: “Drug contamination in water poses a risk to my health”

Thousands of people will march through London on Sunday in a family-friendly rally to highlight the importance of clean water in their lives. The BBC speaks to residents near a rural waterway which scientists say has the second highest level of active drug pollution in the UK.

“You would think that as a country we would be able to protect our most pristine landscapes,” says cold-water swimmer Jo Broughton.

Jo Broughton hasn't dipped a toe into Tideswell Brook, in the heart of the Peak District National Park, since August.

One of the reasons lies in the results of a study which found the stream had the second highest level of active pharmaceutical pollution in the UK – drugs such as antidepressants and antibiotics were detected in the water.

The research studyThe study, published in August by Prof Alistair Boxall of the University of York and the Rivers Trust, found drug levels measured at Tideswell Brook were of concern for human and environmental health.

One possible cause, according to Prof Boxall, was a higher average age, with the older population taking and dispensing more medication.

Jo Broughton, 44, has not swum there since she found out about it, fearing the development of antibiotic resistance and the risk to her health.

“When I go into the water, I expose myself to antibiotics, antidepressants and other medications that I didn’t choose to take,” she added.

Tideswell and the district's environmental group held an open meeting for locals to express both their concerns and anger over pollution of their local stream.

“It shocks me to think that this creek is more polluted today than it was when we came here 27 years ago,” said Lyn Crowe, chair of the environmental group.

Jill Turner, local resident and open water swimmer, said: “When we found out about the antidepressants we laughed at first because you really feel relaxed when you swim in cold water!”

“But what the hell is it doing in our rivers?”

The stream is a Site of Special Scientific Interest; recognized as important for the reproduction of important species and the larger wildlife ecosystem.

The study found that 31 active pharmaceutical ingredients were found at 52 of the 54 sampling sites taken across England's ten protected national parks during the winter and summer of 2022.

Active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) are drugs that are biologically active and can end up in our rivers when people flush drugs down the toilet or when our bodies excrete them after ingesting them.

Prof Boxall said: “We found the highest concentrations of pollutants in areas we want to protect ecologically. I think that’s a bit stupid.”

Tideswell Brook found that concentrations of active pharmaceutical ingredients were higher than before in major cities, including London.

According to Prof. Boxall, this can be due to several reasons:

• The low water flow in national parks means less dilution of the concentrated medicines.
• A higher average age, with the older population taking and flushing more medications.
• Large numbers of tourists contribute to local wastewater levels.
• Lack of infrastructure to remove pharmaceuticals from wastewater and water utilities making more frequent use of overflows.

The march in London on Sunday, organized by campaigning charity River Action, will call on authorities to take action against the people and companies polluting rivers, lakes and seas.

An Environment Agency spokesperson said: “We are working closely with other regulators and the water industry to better understand how pharmaceutical compounds enter our aquatic environment.

“We have developed an early warning system to identify emerging pollutants of concern and ensure potential risks to surface water, groundwater and soils are addressed.

“We also work with the pharmaceutical and veterinary medicines industries through a UK cross-government platform to share knowledge about medicines in the environment.”

Severn Trent Water said: “No sewage treatment plant in England is currently specifically designed to treat pharmaceuticals.

“Tideswell also carries out secondary treatment in addition to tertiary phosphate removal and the process used is not significantly different to what you would see at much larger sites.”

A spokesman for the UK Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs said: “We have already announced a rapid review of the environmental improvement plan, which will also include how to best manage chemicals.”

Steve Reed, Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, said: “I share the public's anger over this issue and am taking immediate action to clean up our rivers, lakes and seas.”

“That is why we are placing the water supply companies under special measures the water billwhich will strengthen regulation, including new powers to ban paying bonuses to water polluters and bring criminal charges against persistent lawbreakers.

“Just last week, I launched the largest review of the water sector since privatization to address long-term deficiencies in the sector, attract investment to drive environmental improvements and place our water sector on a sustainable footing.”