How you could help save our water systems

Ginnie Chadwyck-healey, @ginniech00; vchstyle.com

Water quality in the UK has hit the headlines recently due to the amount of pollution entering our rivers, streams and sea. The water companies we pay to treat water also collect rainfall, and too much of it causes the antiquated water network to build up. Waste water should go to sewage treatment works before it’s returned inland to rivers and streams. Recently, though, untreated sewage has been released regularly.

Now, Water UK is investing £10 billion in modern water systems that should make the sewage sector more resilient to growing rainfall levels. More than that, networks will be under the scrutiny of Ofwat, the sector’s economic regulator.

But we can all play our part. The worst culprits for blocking systems are wet wipes that contain plastic. Even those marketed as ‘natural’ can contain polypropylene, polyethylene and polyester. As an alternative, turn to British start-up Wype, which produces a gel you can use on standard toilet roll, packed with botanicals, that doesn’t break tissue when used and keeps you clean in, well, one wipe. You can carry it as you would a hand sanitiser and it’s gentle enough even for babies.

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