How are the residents of Lincoln reacting to the pollution in the River Witham?

Residents living near the River Witham are calling for urgent action to clean up the polluted waterway. They are concerned about the impact on local wildlife, including swans and ducks feeding in the area.

Home / Environment / Residents Demand Urgent Cleanup of Polluted River Witham in Lincoln

Residents Demand Urgent Cleanup of Polluted River Witham in Lincoln

Q: What is the current state of the River Witham in Lincoln?

The River Witham in Lincoln is currently polluted, with a 100-yard stretch littered with dead geese, discarded bottles, and abandoned household furniture, creating what locals describe as an "open sewer" for several weeks.

Q: What is the Environment Agency's response to the issues with the River Witham?

The Environment Agency acknowledges the concerns raised by residents, attributing the build-up of weed and debris to the river's naturally slow-flowing nature. However, the agency anticipates an improvement in the coming weeks as the wetter winter weather approaches.

14 Nov

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Summary

Stretch of River Witham in Lincoln littered with dead geese, bottles, and furniture
Residents say the area has resembled an "open sewer" for weeks
Concerns raised about impact on wildlife like swans and ducks

Residents Demand Urgent Cleanup of Polluted River Witham in Lincoln

As of November 14th, 2025, residents living near the River Witham in central Lincoln are calling for urgent action to clean up the polluted waterway. A 100-yard stretch of the river at Stamp End is currently littered with dead geese, discarded bottles, and abandoned household furniture, creating what locals describe as an "open sewer" for several weeks now.

Jan Howell, a resident, laments the dramatic change, saying the area was once "beautiful and a pleasure to come down here and walk along the banks," but now she avoids the site altogether. Locals like Stef Bishop have been documenting the issue, taking photographs of the dead birds to "keep a record" of the harm being done.

The Environment Agency acknowledges the concerns, attributing the build-up of weed and debris to the river's naturally slow-flowing nature. However, residents remain worried about the impact on local wildlife, including swans and ducks feeding in the area. With a thick crust of algae and rubbish, some fear the water could be toxic.

As the wetter winter weather approaches, the agency anticipates an improvement in the coming weeks. But residents say the persistent littering and fly-tipping issues need a "complete change in behavior" to truly resolve the problem along the River Witham.

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