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We are a group of middle-aged women who met through our love of the river & open water swimming.
Initially a WhatsApp group to organise swims, we quickly took on swimming challenges starting with our successful English Channel relay in 2020. Over the past several years we have raised more than £100,000 for charity and swum over one million metres! As our love of the river grew, so did our awareness and horror at the scandal of sewage pollution. We began campaigning in 2019, one of the forerunners in the fight for clean waterways, appalled by the assault the water companies were, and still are waging on our precious rivers, lakes & seas.

We've been catapulted into the National campaigning arena, working with other NGO's, community groups, celebrities and charities such as Windrush Wasp, Save Windemere, We Own It, Ilkley Clean River & River Action UK. All working for one goal, clean, healthy waterways full of life for all to use.
We believe education & collaboration are key to change. Entirely independent, we can challenge the government, regulators and industry freely.

"Giving our river a voice"

Sewage Campaign Network

Henley Mermaids are delighted to be part of the Sewage Campaign Network, a grassroots group of the 5 original sewage campaign groups, all deeply rooted in our local communities, working to save our rivers, lakes, and seas from sewage pollution. As the founders of the current massive public storm, our coalition consists of the forerunners in the fight against sewage pollution—passionate community members dedicated to safeguarding rivers, lakes, and coastlines.

We have not been captured – we don’t take money from government, regulators or the water companies; we are truly independent. We take pride in our integrity.

To save our local waters, we’ve had to step up to challenge the entire water system, campaigning to get the law enforced. We are also mobilising hundreds of community campaign groups like ours, providing briefings and educational sessions, and supporting the practicalities of water testing, campaigning and lobbying.

Each group within the network operates independently, but we speak as one, channelling the public's outrage at pollution for profit.

To play, press and hold the enter key. To stop, release the enter key.