SOUTH Cotswolds MP candidate met with two passionate environmental advocates yesterday to discuss their clean water campaign.

Founder of Drinkable Rivers Li An Phoa and her partner Maarten van der Schaaf have recently returned from a 350 kilometre walk of the Thames.
 
During this ambition walk they monitored the water quality of the Thames - as part of Drinkable Rivers' ongoing citizen science research project - and shared their vision of a world with drinkable rivers with people along the way.

Liberal Democrats' parliamentary candidate for South Cotswolds Roz Savage braved the rain and met with the couple in Kemble at the Thames head on Wednesday, October 18 to talk about their clean water campaign.

Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard: Roz Savage MBE, Li An Phoa and Maarten van der Schaaf at the Thames in KembleRoz Savage MBE, Li An Phoa and Maarten van der Schaaf at the Thames in Kemble (Image: Liz Cook)

 

Savage, who was awarded a MBE for services to the environment, has pledged to support the campaign and fight for cleaner rivers.

She said: “I was the first woman to row solo across three oceans and I used my voyages to raise awareness of the environmental crisis. 

"So, like Li An and Maarten, I combined adventure with advocacy.

"But change can’t come entirely from the grassroots – we need strong, effective policies to protect the environment, and that’s one reason why I’m standing for parliament.

Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard: Roz Savage MBE monitoring the water quality of the Thames in Kemble with Li An PhoaRoz Savage MBE monitoring the water quality of the Thames in Kemble with Li An Phoa (Image: Liz Cook)

 

"We’re calling for an end to sewage discharges, banning bonuses for water bosses until discharges and leaks end, and replacing Ofwat with a tough new regulator with new powers to prevent sewage dumps.

"It may be a long time before our rivers are drinkable, but they should at least be swimmable without making people ill.”  

Cllr Mike McKeown, CDC cabinet member for climate change and sustainability, echoed this sentiment and said: “People are terribly concerned about the pollution of our rivers.

“More than 50 per cent of voters have said that the dumping of sewage is likely to influence which party they vote for in the next general election.

"I applaud Li An and Maarten for involving the public in citizen science and highlighting this appalling problem.”
 

Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard: Roz Savage MBE, Li An Phoa and Maarten van der Schaaf at the river Thames in KembleRoz Savage MBE, Li An Phoa and Maarten van der Schaaf at the river Thames in Kemble (Image: Liz Cook)