Phosphate levels in the River Goyt 10 times the recommended limit - with one sewage out flow discharging for eight weeks

Phosphates can be harmful to fish and wildlife and can be a sign of an unhealthy river. According to the Environment Agency, sewage discharge from the water industry is one of the sources of the phosphates in the Goyt. One particular sewage out flow near Otterspool Road was open for 1362 hours - eight weeks in total - in 2021, discharging directly into the River Goyt. 

Liberal Democrat Campaigner Lisa Smart organised volunteers to take phosphate samples of the River Goyt at Chadkirk and Brabyns Park near areas where dogs and people swim, play, fish and paddle.

Lisa said:

"We know that raw sewage is being discharged in rivers by water companies. The Conservatives allowed this by refusing for time after time to impose controls on these companies dumping sewage and for making cuts to environmental protection. We will have to wait 13 years - until 2035 - for the Government's weak targets to come into force. This isn't good enough. I want to see tougher rules on water companies now. They're making huge profits, and they need to be made to step up and sort out this problem. The whole thing stinks."

The recommended level of phosphates in a healthy river should be 0.1 mg per litre. The tests by volunteers gave results of 1 mg per litre, around 10 times the recommended limit.

Samples were also taken at Poise Brook, which runs through Torkington Park in Hazel Grove and Offerton. The results showed Poise Brook had around 5 times the recommended limit for phosphates.

Councillor Mark Roberts, who is Cabinet Member for Climate Change and the Environment, said: “I was shocked to learn of the levels of pollution in our rivers and streams that is permitted by the Conservative government. There was an opportunity to take real action and they have failed us all. I've been contacted by local people asking if it is safe in our waterways for children to paddle, dogs to play, or go wild swimming. Given what I have seen I certainly couldn’t recommend it. This is heart-breaking, I loved rock pooling as a child and it helped foster my interest in nature and our environment, a new generation will grow up being unable to enjoy our beautiful rivers unless the national Government takes action. Sewage in our rivers in this day and age is a national scandal."

Lisa has shared the results with the Mersey Rivers Trust, who work to promote healthy rivers. Lisa is also encouraging concerned local residents to volunteer for the River Guardian scheme organised by the Mersey Rivers Trust or the Angling Trust's 'Anglers Against Pollution' monitoring campaign.