Water firms are main source of microplastics in UK rivers, study says

Research says discharge of untreated sewage and wastewater during dry spells to blame

Water companies are causing high levels of microplastic contamination in UK rivers by discharging untreated sewage and wastewater into the water system, new research reveals.

As pressure builds on water companies, the Environment Agency and ministers to tackle the way water firms release untreated effluent into rivers, scientists have for the first time linked the practice to microplastic pollution.