Rivers of Sorrow?

The EU continues its drive for cleaner rivers, lakes, groundwater and seas. The EU Urban Waste Water Treatment legislation has been introduced. This operates on 'polluter pays principles', meaning that more agricultural waste and sewage will have to be removed, before any waste water is discharged into rivers. For the first time, pharmaceutical and cosmetic companies will also be charged for their micropollutants. This will, presumably, include for the latter's microplastics, added to some 'beauty' preparations, to smooth the skin (https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2024/mar/22/england-wont-adopt-eu-river-pollution-rules-for-pharma-and-cosmetics-firms). Predictably, the UK won't be joining them. It carefully protects its Brexit 'freedom' for Water Companies, farmers, as well as pharmceutical and cosmetic companies to pollute any river in any way they like. Eutrophic UK rivers, ponging in a place near you!