PROTESTERS against the dumping of sewage and farming run off into seas and rivers are holding an event on Saturday (August 5) at Rhosneigr Beach on Anglesey.

Organised by Extinction Rebellion Bangor, who campaign on climate change and the environment, the event will be family friendly and interactive, and will be held from 11am until 2pm.

It aims to show people how to help put a stop to raw sewage being discharged into waterways, and is part of a nationwide weekend of action across the UK to bring attention to the matter.

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Retired teacher Francis Taylor, 73, of Groeson, who is attending the event, said: “The government and water companies must clean up their act and stop the dumping of raw sewage in our rivers, water courses and seas.

“We are doing this for our children, for the planet, and to prevent further biodiversity loss.”

Eddie Tombs, 62, an accountant from Llanberis, added: “We’ve watched in horror as our rivers and seas have become open sewers since October 2021, when the government voted down a proposal to stop water companies pumping waste directly into our rivers and seas.

“We’ll be highlighting the government’s failure to protect our waterways.” 

Last summer, more than 100 beaches were closed to the public after a series of sewage discharges by water companies left the sand and sea contaminated with human sewage.

The “Dirty Water Campaign” highlights the need for both government and industry to act urgently stop poisoning, and then start cleaning up, coastal waters and waterways across the UK.

Wanda Zyborska, a teacher from Menai Bridge, said: “It’s disgusting, literally, to think what’s being pumped into our rivers.

“The government and the water companies aren’t going to clean up unless ordinary people put pressure on them.

“We need everyone who cares about our rivers and seas to stand up with us and speak out.”

High amounts of rainfall cause sewage tanks to become full, leading to raw or partially treated sewage leaks into our water systems.

All are welcome to the event  Saturday at Rhosneigr Beach to raise awareness of this problem, and to put pressure on governments and water companies to take more action.