Illegal drugs and other chemicals of concern have been detected in Sheffield’s rivers, say members of a new group formed to tackle river pollution in the city.
The River Wardens aim to hold accountable people responsible for pollution, and to promote public awareness.
Among their members are the Sheffield City Kayak Club, who regularly use the rivers in Sheffield.
They recently took part in research by the Imperial College London that found traces of illegal drugs in the River Don.
The research also found traces of pharmaceuticals, contraceptives, pesticides and explosives using a passive sampling device, which monitors and detects pollutants in the water.
Neil Furmidge, 54, coach at Sheffield City Kayak Club said: “The worse readings were upstream near to Wharncliffe Wastewater Treatment Plant.
“It seems significant amounts of chemicals of concern are passing through the treatment plant into the river.”
Experienced kayakers tend to hit the waters when it is at high flow which is when the Combined Sewer Overflow’s (CSO’s) are operating and disposing sewage, according to Mr Furmidge
He said: “The first thing you notice is the smell and then you’ll see the unpleasant stuff in the water.
“It’s not becoming uncommon to get quite ill from time to time.
“The worst case is when we had a paddler who ended up hospitalised for a few weeks.”
It is not illegal for water companies to release polluted water into the rivers.
Jaqueline Diaz-Neto, who worked at Yorkshire Water for 10 years, said: “You are only allowed to spill when water has reached its maximum flow.”
The problem for many people concerned is that there is no clear data that shows how many times water has overflown and more importantly what is in the water.
The River Wardens group was set up by Sheffielders looking to tackle pollution and sewage dumped in rivers.
The group had their second meeting at the Walkley Cottage Inn on Wednesday, to welcome and recruit volunteers to keep an eye out and report anything suspicious.
John Blewitt, 74, retired fisherman and founder of the group said: “I spent years cleaning the Don up.
“It makes me feel angry. Bloody angry because they’re ruining my livelihood. They’re ruining what I love. And they’re ruining things what my children and my grandchildren should have.
They will also use equipment similar to the findings in Bradford which led to a £1.6m fine for Yorkshire water last year.
Mr Blewitt said: “The only way I know how to fight back is to get people involved and to say enough is enough.
“I feel like Maximilien Robespierre in the French revolution. I’m not saying chop their heads off but let them be responsible for their actions.”
The Environment Agency recently admitted that it no longer has a target to inspect sewage work, which is “dictated by pressure that comes from government and citizens”, said Sheffield councillor for Walkley, Tom Hunt.
Coun Hunt said: “A lot of this rests at the door of government who have frankly taken their eye off the ball.
“It should not be down to citizens, but I’m really pleased that citizens are stepping up.”
ShefNews has approached Yorkshire Water for comment.