A new report by CIWEM (Chartered Institution of Water and Environmental Management).and Stormwater Shepherds on highway runoff and the water environment is warning that a “toxic cocktail of pollutants” is running into rivers and water sources every time it rains and is calling for urgent action to tackle the issue.

Highways England has launched a study into whether surface water which runs off roads affects the level of microplastics in the environment – the first phase of research paves the way for further studies on microplastics pollution.

Jo Bradley, Market Development Manager, SDS Ltd and formerly Water Quality Advisor and Highway Outfall Project Manager with the Environment Agency, looks at the challenges posed by urban and highway runoff  which are contributing significantly to UK water quality failures.