Thousands of Midlands river campaigners to join rally in London

Geoff Sallis is one of 70 Safe Avon volunteers who have tested the water in the River Avon more than 1,200 times.

Their results show an increase in phosphate and nitrate levels in the water, which can lead to an increase in algae.

Figures from the Environment Agency show sewage was discharged into the river at Tewkesbury for more than 5,000 hours over 228 days last year.

Geoff wants more to be done to monitor how much waste water companies dump into rivers.

“We have to go after companies that pollute the environment,” Mr Sallis said.

“It just offends me that people can use them as an open sewer for profit.”

In response, Severn Trent Water said it had sent all spill data to the Environment Agency, adding: “We continue to be fully open and transparent while continuing to reduce spills and improve river conditions.”

The company said it will also invest £78 million in a river bathing project using ground-breaking ozone technology, which will benefit Avon.

A company spokesman said: “We are ahead of the government’s targets and leading the way in the UK.”