Data just released by the Environment Agency has revealed that only a small per centage of rivers across the UK have passed water standards.

Although the exact details cannot yet be accessed, the failing rivers are believed to include Frome's river which is considered by campaigners to be at best 'moderate' to 'poor'.

The Agency reported that just 14% of rivers across the UK were of a 'good' ecological standard and none of 'good' chemical standard.

Data published today (September 17) shows that there has been no improvements in river quality since 2016 (when the last data was published) despite government promises that by 2027, 75% of English rivers would be rated good.

In 2016, 97% of rivers were judged to have good chemical status, though the standard of tests used this time was higher.

The Friends of the Somerset River Frome have told Nub News that they are not surprised.

They told us: " The bad news coming out of this official report on the state of our rivers doesn't surprise many of us who have seen freshwater life drip away over many years, to the point that many rivers, like our own RIver Frome, are in a dire state.

"Over the past 10 years, we have seen successive cutbacks of the regulator, and inadequate action over both of the main sources of chronic river pollution: human sewage and agriculture. The two industries that now have to mend their ways are the water industry and farming. This report is the final wake up call. Lovers of river life though have had enough. "

In their most recent report on the River Frome, the problems highlighted include phosphates, sediments and ammonia, with culprits named as dirty water, silt and sediment entering watercourses from farmyards and sewage from combined sewer overflows.

Defra has already been taken to court once and now it has been revealed that former Undertones front man and river campaigner, Feargal Sharkey, is, with others, about to launch legal action against the government for failures over river quality.

Environment Agency Chair Emma Howard Boyd conceded that the data was disappointing. She said:

"Water quality has plateaued since 2016, which isn't good enough. There have been improvements over the last 25 years, for example waste water treatment works put 60% less phosphate and 70% less ammonia into the water environment than they did in 1995, but the general upward trend has not continued.

"The 25 Year Environment Plan aims for at least three quarters of our waters to be close to their natural state, but today just 14% of our rivers are. To get where we want to be everyone needs to improve how they use water now and that means water companies, farmers and the public."

You can follow what the local campaigners are up to and see their reports HERE : the Friends of the River Frome site