Serendipia Posted Tuesday at 08:24 AM Share Posted Tuesday at 08:24 AM Image: River Action UK A striking new billboard in central London is making passersby do a double take—it’s made entirely of brown-stained £50 notes. But these aren’t just any stains. Environmental campaign group River Action created the 'Pooster,' a provocative display near Vauxhall Station, using sterilized waste and water from polluted UK waterways to send a powerful message about water companies’ dirty profits. The message is stark and simple: “This money is stained with crap, just like water company profits.” This visual protest comes amid alarming revelations about Thames Water’s environmental impact. Since January 2024 alone, the company has discharged untreated human sewage into the River Thames for at least 7,002 hours—equivalent to 291 days of continuous pollution, with many of these discharges likely violating regulations. Image: River Action UK The scandal deepens when you consider the financial side. Over the past 33 years, water companies have paid £72.9 billion in dividends while neglecting infrastructure, leaving rivers and lakes to suffer. Amy Fairman, head of campaigns at River Action, summarized the issue: “Water companies like Thames Water are up to their necks in it, treating our rivers, seas, and lakes like open sewers. Our ‘Pooster’ sends a clear message: their profits are filthy, and it’s time for change. The public has had enough of sewage-filled waterways, and we’re demanding urgent reform.” The campaign, brought to life through collaboration with creative agencies Uncharted and Global, presented unique challenges. Laura Jordan Bambach, co-founder and chief creative officer at Uncharted, commented on the irony of the project: "The disturbing and complex challenge of crafting a 'Pooster' that's safe even for us to handle speaks volumes. If it's this tough for our team, just imagine the state of every waterway and beach across the UK." Beyond its striking visual impact, the initiative extends to the airwaves. Comedian Jo Brand has lent her voice to radio ads running across Global’s networks, including LBC, Heart, and Capital, promoting the March for Clean Water in central London on November 3rd. The march will unite environmental activists and concerned citizens to demand urgent reforms in the water industry. With public frustration mounting, the 'Pooster' campaign is a powerful call for change. It urges greater investment in infrastructure and stricter regulations to protect the UK’s waterways for future generations. What do you think—will this bold protest make water companies clean up their act, or is it just a drop in the bucket? https://riveractionuk.com/up-to-their-necks-in-it-river-action-unveils-provocative-pooster-to-expose-water-companies-profiting-while-poisoning-our-water/ https://www.lbbonline.com/news/river-action-unveils-provocative-pooster-to-expose-water-companies-profiting-from-poisoning-water https://www.oxfordmail.co.uk/news/24665960.thames-water-river-action-unveils-pooster-protest/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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