Residents of Brixham affected by contaminated water

Residents of Brixham, Devon, have expressed their outrage over severe water pollution, with some claiming they have been "literally drinking s--t." This alarming situation highlights a broader issue affecting waterways across the UK, where pollution has been accumulating for years, damaging natural beauty and contaminating drinking water supplies. Major water companies, including Thames Water, Yorkshire Water, and Northumbrian Water, have faced significant financial penalties, amounting to millions of pounds, due to historic sewage spills. Despite these fines, the recurrence of such incidents raises questions about accountability and the effectiveness of current regulations. In a special episode of The Daily T, host Kamal and The Telegraph’s environment editor Emma Gatten delve into the ongoing crisis, examining the state of the nation’s waterways and identifying the parties responsible for the pollution. The episode also features a visit to Brixham, where residents share their harrowing experiences with cryptosporidium poisoning, a direct consequence of contaminated water. Listeners can access the episode through various platforms, including Spotify and Apple Podcasts, and are encouraged to subscribe to The Daily T newsletter for further updates on this pressing environmental issue. The discussion aims to shed light on the urgent need for solutions to protect public health and restore the integrity of the UK’s water systems.