Sewage in seas causes infections
In 2024, Dr Jonathan Cox, a microbiologist at Aston University, contracted a lung infection. The cause? Probably raw sewage in the sea where he had been swimming.
Jonathan isn’t the first to have contracted something unpleasant from raw sewage in the sea around the UK, nor will he be the last. The UK’s raw sewage problem has been an issue for years, and it’s only getting worse. This, Jonathan wrote in an open-access review article for the journal Microbiology, needs to change.
Jonathan’s call for urgent investment follows calls from others like Surfers Against Sewage, who have been campaigning on the issue for years.
To be fair, it is an extremely expensive and technically challenging issue to solve, and requires stricter regulation over the companies that are dumping raw sewage into the sea. But make no mistake - this is fixable.
As with most things, the sooner action is taken, the cheaper it will be.
Jonathan says, ”Whilst we’re waiting for the improved management, innovation and investment that is required to solve the issue and save our seaside, don’t bury your head in the sand regarding water quality. Check before you swim. After all, prevention is always better than cure.”
I’d also add that, if you live in the UK, writing to politicians, attending meetings (if you can), or even supporting organisations tackling raw sewage is really important.
➡️ Read the open-access article
➡️ Visit Surfers Against Sewage’s website
➡️ See where UK sewage is discharging into the sea right now
