It's Clear, but it's not Clean

We are grateful to Funding for Social Change for making this project possible

Save our chalk streams from cleaning product pollution - switch to Green Alternatives !

The Facts - Our testing and what it shows

Our recent university aided studies have shown that many river toxic chemicals are ending up in our chalk streams where they are building up and causing harmful pollution. Household cleaning products are contributing to this problem. Many of these chemicals, which do not break down easily in the environment, are not fully removed by standard wastewater treatment and so their continued use causes this build up, or “pseudo-persistence”, resulting in harm to this rare and precious ecosystem. These chemicals can also enter the streams from septic tank discharge.

In addition, climate change, the removal of water for drinking, and the controversial release of raw sewage to prevent flooding all lead to a higher concentration of these chemicals.

Alongside this, our regular volunteer testing reports higher chemical levels than is healthy for a chalk steam and a decline in river fly numbers, which are important for the food chain. Both of these factors indicate water pollution, endangering fish, river animals and plants as a result.

It’s Clear, but it’s not Clean

When you walk alongside a chalk stream, it may look clear and beautiful, but it’s not as clean as it looks. There are harmful chemicals in the water and in the riverbed. It has never been more important we do something together now, to ease the stress on our streams, keeping them healthier and safer for their animals, plants and ecosystem. We need to act as stewards of these unique ecosystems to protect them, now and for future generations.

How we can all help

By switching to greener alternatives for cleaning, laundry and dishwashing, we can help protect these rare ecosystems. Together we can reduce the build up of harmful substances and allow allow our chalk streams to provide a healthier and safer habitat for the animals and plants that depend on them

How do household chemicals get into our rivers and groundwater ?

Wastewater from houses, either from baths, showers, toilet, washing machines, dishwashers or sinks goes down your house drain, either to a septic tank in rural areas or to a wastewater treatment works where there is mains drainage. The treatment process in all these systems is much the same with the treated liquid wastewater being discharged to a river, watercourse or a drainage field. There is no specific treatment of the many household chemicals, pharmaceuticals or personal care products which pass through the system largely untreated. Some of these chemicals can be harmful to both aquatic organisms and humans.

Photo Credit - Which

How to Switch and Go Green - Use Our Guide to Help You

Know what to avoid - Say No to the Nasties

Our flyer, Say No to the Nasties! lists many of the main bad chemicals to avoid, the products they are usually found in and what to look for on labelling when searching out safer alternatives.

Many of these safer alternatives are biodegradable and often plant based but also specifically state which particularly toxic chemicals they avoid.

Or, for the digest of the digested read, see our traffic-light table of product types ...

Where to buy safer green alternatives

Supermarkets - Many products can be bought from supermarkets. These may be own brand such as Sainsbury’s Greencare, Morrison’s Eco, general ”green” ranges from large chemical manufacturers such as Ecover, Method, or from more dedicated water safe specialist manufacturers such as Ocean Saver, Bio-D, Delphis Eco, etc.

On-line - Our Green household cleaning products - On-line suppliers/retailers leaflet gives you details of where to find some on-line green product suppliers and retailers and also whether their products are septic tank safe. Trust Pilot scores are included.

Eco-friendly shops - “Fill-Up” in Alton is on the High Street (on Face Book under FillUp Alton) and “Ecology” in Stockbridge High Street (www.theecologystore.co.uk)

Which? also has a guide to buying water friendly products here.

Why not try making your own cleaning products ?

With some basic traditional biodegradable cleaning ingredients, you can make effective cleaning products that work without poisoning the environment. White vinegar, citric acid, Borax, baking powder and others can be put to good use on stains, in laundry and for general cleaning. Check out our River Saver recipe cards for some ideas.

Beware of greenwashing and vague claims – Read the Label !

'Eco friendly' is not always about the chemicals used

Not all Eco products necessarily use water safe chemicals. Some may be labelled as eco-friendly because they are concentrated and/or use non-plastic packaging, or use a zero-waste system. They are technically more generally eco conscious, but the ingredients may still be river toxic.

Check the ingredients/product websites for toxic chemical free claims.

Biodegradable and plant based only claims do not mean that they are fully river safe. Look for “free from” claims.

Beware of misleading logos.

Some products carry logos that suggest they are water safe for fish, plants or animals, but still include chemicals harmful to rivers and streams. There are no third party independent green logos in the UK, they are created within the industry and are part of their marketing strategy. For example www.Cleanright.eu uses a self-certified logo financed by cleaning product manufacturers. Don’t be fooled.

Ditch and Switch

Start cleaning river-safely by swapping toxic products for greener alternatives

Here are some suggestions to help get you started.

All the brands listed in our table are available online and in supermarkets (including own-brand versions)

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