It’s always shocking when water bodies are polluted, but in one of London’s premier parks, during the lockdown, when children are dipping their toes, is particularly bad.
Two incidents, in different wetland ponds, saw raw sewage, oil and other contaminants flow through them and to the River Lea.
This has been happening in the Olympic Park for years and London Waterkeeper is investigating the reasons why.
The East Village pond. Photo Dee O’Connell 
The London Legacy pond. Photo Dee O’Connell 
After it rained the drain overflowed
Dee O’Connell is the Chair of London Waterkeeper and walks in the nearby Olympic Park. She was a witness to the pollution, shortly after it happened. When these events occur it’s sometimes hard to get action taken. From her experience with London Waterkeeper Dee knew what to do next.
Drain Shame
Our Drain Shame campaign highlights the under-investment in preventing pollution. In London alone there are more than 1,000 dirty outfalls damaging rivers now. We put pressure on the authorities to do more. The target was raised to 750 drains cleaned up over the next 5 years.
Industrial amounts of pollution are spoiling our rivers and too little is being done.
