Key facts
- Friends of the Dart (FOD) launched the River Hub, a platform tracking sewage spills into the River Dart.
- The River Hub provides real-time data on spills, highlights repeatedly polluted areas, and details planned improvement work.
- Rob Worthington, a designer of the platform, stated it aims to channel public anger over sewage pollution constructively.
- South West Water (SWW) was fined nearly £800 million for sewage spills.
- Emma Roberts was hospitalized with an E. coli infection after swimming in the Dart.
- The Environment Agency stated 100% of storm overflows are now monitored, with record investment planned for improvements.
A community group in Devon has launched an innovative online platform to monitor and report sewage spills into the River Dart, providing detailed, real-time information that has been lacking from official sources. The River Hub, created by Friends of the Dart (FOD), aims to empower local communities by offering granular data on pollution events, identifying problem areas, and tracking planned remediation efforts.
Rob Worthington, one of the platform's designers, explained that the River Hub was developed to channel public frustration over sewage pollution into constructive action. "We built River Hub to help channel that constructively: to show where the problems are and why, so communities can help decide what gets fixed first," he said.
The launch coincides with increased scrutiny of water companies, with South West Water recently fined nearly £800 million for sewage spills. It also follows Prime Minister Andy Burnham's critique of the water industry and his promise to explore reversing privatization.
The River Hub includes information on current spills, historical data, and "dry spills" (discharges without significant rainfall). It also delves into the capacity of sewage treatment works and outlines planned improvement schedules, or highlights areas with no planned remedial work. FOD extracted much of its data from public records and freedom of information requests, acknowledging the platform may be incomplete or contain inaccuracies.
Residents have reported falling ill after swimming in the River Dart. Emma Roberts was hospitalized with an E. coli infection, and Olivia Doherty's son experienced stomach problems. Ben Brierley, a kayak tour operator, expressed frustration with the long deadlines given to water companies for reducing sewage discharge.
South West Water stated it welcomes public interest and highlighted its own WaterFit Live site for providing information on storm overflows and investment programs. An Environment Agency spokesperson confirmed that all storm overflows are now monitored, with significant investment planned to improve infrastructure across England.