WATERSHED Investigations
@watershed-i
Award-winning independent not-for-profit investigative journalism in the public interest. Watershed is: @rachelsalvidge.bsky.social @leanahosea.bsky.social Posts by Chloe
Across the country, argues Julia King, we need to capture increasingly heavy winter rain & store it to get through increasingly water-stressed summers if we're to maintain a secure supply of food: share.google/QfY4m31PtRK0...
With farmers across the country reporting this year's low rainfall is hitting crop yields, here's an interview we did a few years ago with Riverford Farm's Guy Singh-Watson. We need to free up farms to prepare for many more dry summers to come: share.google/zJBDVkHYOR8q...
You can explore landfill sites near you using our European Landfill Map via: share.google/50YTIOVFuxLL...
We're honoured to announce that our investigation into landfill sites across Europe with @investigate-europe.eu has been nominated for the Prix de Journalisme Environmental 2026, awarded by the Association JNE des journalistes écrivains pour la nature et l'écologie + Université Paris Dauphine 🏆
If you read with concern that recent heatwaves resulted in the London Ambulance Service's busiest ever day, issues with equipment + cooling systems in hospitals, you may be interested to know that MPs are asking the gov't to prepare the NHS for extreme heat: hansard.parliament.uk/Lords/2026-0...
The gov't is asking us all to use less water. When we interviewed Julia King, a few years ago, she suggested measures politicians could introduce to support people with that, including water efficiency ratings for devices. podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/h...
It might seem a given that chemicals linked to: 'reduced fertility, altered nervous system + immune system function, diabetes, neurological + learning disabilities, + certain cancers' wouldn't be allowed in children's toys, teethers + sippy cups but we are very far from a ban on EDCs in toys.
Be interesting to see how all those harping on about too many subsidies for renewables would react if all the subsidies/tax breaks were removed from fossil fuels too
Old style chemical flame retardants (CFRs), banned since the '90s on health grounds, are in almost every English river, according to analysis by @wclnews.bsky.social + @theriverstrust.bsky.social. CFRs were above safe levels in all wildlife samples analysed by the NGOs.
Industry has been campaigning hard to get chemical regulation eased in the EU. If you find it concerning that politicians were considering allowing cancer-causing chemicals in toiletries, @chemtrust.bsky.social is a great feed for keeping up-to-date with developments, + how to oppose them.
“The government mustn’t let these terrible losses continue. To protect marine wildlife, Ministers must finally deliver strong bycatch action plans, backed by strict mandatory monitoring and enforcement, before more wildlife is pushed closer to extinction" says @richardbenwell.bsky.social
. @wclnews.bsky.social says the findings are likely an underestimate, as so few vessels record data. They didn't include non-UK vessels fishing in UK waters in their estimates.
The analysis looked at data from the few UK vessels that record data on bycatch. (About 0.5% of UK dredging vessels record this information.) @wclnews.bsky.social used this data to extrapolate the impact of the UK fleet on fish, birds + marine mammals.
Energy companies to pay into the new fund to train the next generation of renewables technicians + engineers. The deal also sees better workplace access for unions with an emphasis on workers' rights + safety: share.google/0TVor7P0eeDd...
We loaded the data on our Watershed Pollution Map so you can explore it. It's available here: share.google/ygwjoHzPYwzU...
Long term exposure to oil pollution, as appears to have happened around the pipeline, can cause serious harm to wildlife + fish as @oceanauk.bsky.social documents in its Sea Slick report. Fishers along the pipeline say it's a struggle to make a living now. uk.oceana.org/reports/sea-...
First Nations' treaties were negotiated with the Canadian government. What happens to rights set out under those treaties if Alberta votes for independence? Watershed's @leanahosea.bsky.social went on The World to discuss the implications of Alberta's 'Brexit moment': share.google/AVMzMNpHFoAX...
Watershed Investigations is honoured to be one of 10 journalistic organisations admitted to the Global Investigative Journalism Network this year. We're incredibly grateful & will continue to work to uphold the high standards for which GIJN is known: share.google/6XJg9ep2Zfe1...
Watershed's @rachelsalvidge.bsky.social will be speaking at @wclnews.bsky.social's Wild Summit, in Bristol Beacons, 9 Sept 2026: She'll be discussing water pollution & the fight for cleaner rivers & seas. Tickets & information about the summit available here: share.google/PQXjLRcK8CYK...
Leana reporting for the BBC on one potential link between extreme rainfall + increased risk of antibiotic resistant genes being created: raw sewage discharge when combined sewer overflows are overwhelmed by heavy rain: youtu.be/zQQIrFMO5AU?... 2/3
When we tested water from English bathing sites, we found antibiotic resistance genes present at many swimming spots around the country. Particularly high levels were found in Rivers Dart, Nidd, Ribble + Wye. share.google/7rBKPnpoEApD...
Euronews reporting on under-investment in new antibiotics to prevent the rise of untreatable infections. At the same time, our inadequate sewage systems create ideal conditions to cultivate new resistant strains, as Leana reports, here, for the BBC: www.euronews.com/business/202...
Research reveals how much harm regular, low level spills of oil + chemicals around pipelines + rigs can cause wildlife, including whales+ dolphins who can endure: - lung lesions - liver damage - reduced ability to produce offspring Report by @oceanauk.bsky.social uk.oceana.org/reports/sea-...
It's not just big spills: Seabirds exposed to ongoing, lower levels of oil + chemical pollution near rigs + pipelines can endure: - lesions in their digestive tracts - harm to lungs, liver, thyroid - can be less able to fly or hunt Report by @oceanauk.bsky.social uk.oceana.org/reports/sea-...
Food security shouldn't be a luxury A warm, dry, well insulated home shouldn't be a luxury Things like insulation + heat pumps reduce emissions - they also make life comfortable + more affordable - if people have help getting them
Distressing but unsurprising when we consider children are exposed to hormone disrupting chemicals from: toys, teethers, sippy cups, clothes can all contain chemicals linked to thyroid disorders, diabetes, later in life, fertility issues, early puberty, cancers share.google/lQYf0SnFFZVU...
92% of seagrass meadows have been lost They store carbon, shelter wildlife, protect our coastline from storms, & provide vital nurseries for young fish including cod, whose numbers are critically low Around the UK, people are working to restore them: www.theguardian.com/environment/...
We must tackle both the twin evils of climate change & habitat destruction if we're to reduce the number of birds, animals & plants becoming extinct, study finds. Tougher migrations, drying water bodies, pollution, loss of food & shelter pushing wildlife to the brink: share.google/YIdWKAzduQJx...
We've loaded the latest sewage discharge figures for England onto our Watershed Pollution Map so you can investigate how your local water company is doing - because, here at Watershed, we know how to spoil you: share.google/rQ5Ah2FRv5Pt... 2/2
Ahead of tomorrow's report on sewage releases, we've loaded data on discharges near bathing sites onto our Watershed Pollution Map for you to investigate & make your own assessment of how water companies are doing. Come on in, the water's lovely... share.google/fJcxMofi3Hi7...