The River Trent has been
polluted in many ways, making the water dangerous in parts and causing some wildlife to
die. How? And what is being done to protect the Trent's water and its wildlife?
In Stoke-on-Trent, overflows of water cause sewage
to flow into the river. The government will be spending millions of pounds over the next 5
years to improve sewage works and prevent overflows into rivers all over England,
including the River Trent.
Industry - Industry is not using the Trent's water
as much now, so less damage is being caused. The Trent is cleaner than it was. The pottery
industries of Stoke have declined and improved there environmental impact.
Hot water put into the Trent from power stations has
killed some life in the river. The power stations are now trying to control the
temperature of the water put back into the Trent. The power stations now aerate the water preventing many fish from dying.
Collieries (where coal is mined) caused the water to
become salty in some places. Many collieries have closed so there is less of a risk to the
Trent now.
Gas works have caused dangerous chemicals to be put
into the water. Now that much of our gas comes from the North Sea, gas works along the
Trent are less of a problem.
Due to the effects of the pollution some wildlife
disappeared from the Trent completely, for example, salmon and otters. Today, there are
organizations that work to protect the environment around the Trent and consequently the
water quality has greatly improved. The 'Environment Agency' has been able to re-introduce
salmon back to the Trent and efforts are being made to re-introduce the otter and other
animals/fish. Conservation areas have also been created to protect wildlife along the
banks of the river.
