A journey down Ampney Brook
How sewage pollution is affecting your rivers and streams
The Ampney Brook starts near Cirencester. Like the River Windrush, the water is naturally filtered by limestone, making it very clear.
Upstream in Ampney Brook, June 2020
The Ampney Brook is home to a healthy fish and invertebrate population. Freshwater fish, such as trout, flourish in these conditions.
Brown trout in Ampney Brook, April 2021
Let's look further downstream
Downstream, there's a mysterious pipe near the sewage pumping station. It runs into Ampney Brook and foam spills out.
Foam coming out of the pipe near the sewage pumping station, June 2020
We cannot prove a link, but downstream of the sewage pumping station the water gradually becomes murky.
Ampney Brook after the pumping station, June 2020
The water now takes on a different appearance. So does the riverbed and weed, which is coated in algae and sediment. This is a common sign of sewage pollution.
Ampney Brook after the pumping station in June 2020
What happens if we keep going downstream?
Now we come to the sewage works.
There's an outfall pipe and more strange foam.
Foam at the outfall pipe by Ampney St Peter sewage works
Downstream of the sewage works, we find algae and sediment covering the weeds. This prevents photosynthesis and chokes aquatic plants.
Diatoms (a type of algae) and sediment covers plants after the sewage works
Beneath the surface, the water is cloudy and grey. Some trout appear to be surviving, but these conditions are not conducive to life.
Downstream of the sewage works, and two pumping stations.
Footage taken near Down Ampney in June 2020.
Before sewage works & pumping stations
Clear water.
Golden gravel.
Algae-free plants.
After sewage works
& pumping stations
Cloudy water.
Sediment over gravel.
Conditions are not
conducive to life.
Why does it matter?
Animals
Many species of fish can't spawn in polluted riverbeds. You may not see dead fish, but they'll slowly disappear.
Plants
Plants are choked by sewage pollution. Eventually, they will stop growing -- removing an important habitat for many species.
People
Sewage pollution makes water unsafe for people and their pets. This is happening in rivers across the country.
"We want to pass the river onto the next generation as an asset - not a liability."
Ash Smith, WASP Founder