Rivers at Risk

New Report Highlights Broads Rivers at Risk

National Parks in England and Wales, including the Broads, encompass some of the

most biodiverse and important rivers in the country. But new research shows they are

being failed by government and water regulators and are now under threat.

The new report on ‘Rivers at Risk’ from the Campaign for National Parks, in partnership with

the Rivers Trust, highlights six National Park rivers at risk, including the River Bure in the

Broads. This river supports the UK’s most biodiverse wetland but in 93% of estimates, its

water quality is moderate to poor. Sewage spills, agricultural pollution, and toxic chemicals

are risking treasured landscapes that should be protected to the highest standards.

Agriculture is the biggest polluter, though habitat restoration in the headwaters offers

hope. Shockingly, sewer overflows inside National Parks spill more than twice as long on

average as outside. The Broads was one of five National Parks with an average spill rate

more than twice that of the rest of the country. In 2024, 6915 hours of sewage were

discharged from water industry combined sewage overflows (CSO) into rivers in the Broads

This reflects ageing and poorly maintained sewage infrastructure that is ill-designed and

undersized to cope with actual resident and visitor populations.

Sewage treatment outlet. Credit: Anglers Against Sewage

Ecological status varies significantly between National Parks. Waterways in the Broads

received the lowest habitat assessment score of all, just 23 out of 100, compared to the

average of 50 across all National Parks. The waterways of the Broads are at the bottom of

the catchment and are more likely to contain pollutants drained from land, towns, and cities

upstream. Perhaps for this reason, only 6% of rivers in the Broads are classified as ‘good’

ecological status, versus 42% across all National Parks in England and Wales, and 12% of

rivers outside National Parks. The remaining 94% of rivers in the Broads do not meet the

legal minimum ecological standards, compared with 60% across all English National Parks.

Dr Mark Collins, Chair of the Broads Society has said that the ‘Rivers at Risk’ report casts a cloud over the reputation of England’s most important protected wetland, the Broads.

“How can the home of a quarter of our threatened species, living in and amongst 200km of

lakes and rivers, be dirtier than waterways in any of the other National Parks? The Broads

draw millions of visitors for walking, cycling, boating and birdwatching. They pay their dues

and, along with the local economy that welcomes them, have every right to expect clean

rivers. The Bure, with its headwaters in endangered chalk streams, is the Broads’ longest

waterway and, together with its tributaries, must get the attention it needs” 

  Duties enshrined in the Levelling-Up and Regeneration Act 2023, require national and

local government, water companies and regulators to protect the Broads and promote their

enjoyment by the public. It’s a disgrace that these obligations are being flaunted and

ignored. Internationally, the Broads wetlands are recognised under the Ramsar Convention,

but ‘Rivers at Risk’ shows that the UK falls well short of its legal obligations to use them

wisely and maintain their ecological character through effective management and

monitoring.”

Dr Rose O’Neill, Chief Executive of CNP agrees and has said that “National Parks like the

Broads should set the gold standard for clean and healthy rivers, but instead they are being

ignored and neglected by Government, regulators and water companies. These places are

loved by millions of people: if we can’t protect the jewels of our waterways, then we are

failing the nation.

  Government in England and Wales is in the midst of the biggest reform of the water

sector in decades: they must not forget places like the Broads. It’s time to give these

waterways the strongest legal protections, the highest standards, and the urgent investment

they deserve.”

Local communities are working tirelessly to protect these waterways. National Park

Authorities play an important role as local planning authorities and are active in a wide range

of catchment management and river restoration projects, but when it comes to tackling the

biggest pressures, they have little power and are reliant on the water companies and water

regulators to act. With the biggest shake-up of water regulation in decades underway in

England and Wales following the Independent Water Commission, Campaign for National

Parks and its member organisations, including the Broads Society, are calling for bold action

from Ministers:

1. Prioritise the Parks: Make them a top priority in water reforms, with the highest ambitions

for our most special rivers and a new mandate requiring new water regulators and water

companies to act. 

2.   Strengthen the Law: Set legally binding targets to clean up rivers, lakes, and streams in

National Parks, including high status for iconic sites such as the Broads. Fix storm overflows

in National Parks by 2035 and ban toxic chemicals including damaging ‘spot-on’ flea

treatments. 

3.      Stop the Sewage: Upgrade sewage treatment works within National Parks and the

Broads so they are fit for purpose, supported by nature-based solutions and strong

enforcement. 

4.      Cut Farm Pollution: Tackle agricultural pollution through better regulation and

incentives, with targeted action for water through farming schemes in England and Wales. 

5.     Power Up National Park Authorities: Empower, support and fund National Park

Authorities to play an even greater role in water and catchment management.