Giles Bristow, the chief executive of Surfers Against Sewage, has delivered a petition signed by 350,000 people to 10 Downing Street. The petition calls on the UK government to revise the proposed Clean Water Bill and end the privatization of water services, which began in 1989. The campaign argues that the current system prioritizes profit over the environment and public health, leading to what they describe as "polluting for profit." Recent extreme weather conditions, including droughts and floods, have intensified public concern. These issues were also highlighted in Channel 4's docu-drama "Dirty Business," which tells the story of Heather Preen, an eight-year-old who died in 1999 after contracting E. coli 0157 from a sewage spill in Devon. Heather’s mother, Julie Maughan, has since continued to advocate for cleaner water through the charity. Surfers Against Sewage has documented more than 43,000 hours of sewage discharges into England’s waters during July and August, with over 2,000 hours recorded in designated bathing areas. This increase has been worsened by the hottest summer on record, which brought minimal rainfall and led to more sewage being released into waterways. The charity also received 636 reports from people who claimed to have fallen ill after swimming in contaminated water. Bristow describes the situation as a public health crisis, citing his own experiences of infections, including those affecting his ears, eyes, and skin, after swimming in polluted waters. Bristow notes that about half of the population is concerned about the safety of wild waters and the health risks they may pose. He points out that the long-term health effects of sewage in water are not fully understood, partly because medical professionals do not routinely ask patients if they have been swimming. He also raises concerns about less visible pollutants, such as microplastics and PFAS, known as "forever chemicals," which remain in the environment indefinitely unless burned. These chemicals are difficult to remove and can pose serious health risks. The campaign by Surfers Against Sewage has gained more attention in recent years, partly due to increased public awareness of water pollution. Bristow credits the pandemic for this shift, as it led more people to spend time outdoors and witness pollution firsthand. He also notes that rising water bills have led to growing frustration, with many questioning whether they are paying for a system that allows pollution. Despite these challenges, Bristow finds hope in the growing number of passionate and innovative individuals joining the campaign to push for cleaner, safer water for all.