<h2 class="wp-block-heading eplus-wrapper">What's happening? </h2>

The River Lim in southwest England used to be full of life. Eel, fish and kingfishers all lived in or on the water. Children played there and adults washed their clothes there.

Now, scientists say the river is "dead". Nobody goes into the river anymore. The water is filled with so much human waste that animals cannot live there. 

Rainwater and wastewater both go into pipes called sewersThe underground pipes that take away water. . When there is a lot of rain, water companies are allowed to let sewageWaste matter such as human waste. flow into rivers. This is what has happened to the River Lim and other rivers in Britain. 

This is only supposed to happen when there is very heavy rain. But it happens all the time. 

<h2 class="wp-block-heading eplus-wrapper">Find out more</h2>

Now, water companies in England have said sorry. A new lawA rule that everyone must follow. will force the companies to lower the amount of sewage that flows into rivers and the sea. Some areas are already building new sewers that can hold more water.

This will make a difference, experts say. But others point out that it will take 20 years to clean the rivers using these plans. 

Meanwhile, sewage is not the only problem. Lots of farmers dump chemicals into water - and it is harder to spot farmers breaking the rules than water companies breaking the rules. 

Yes! The new rules are a good start. People are angry that so much sewage has gone into rivers. They will not let water companies get away with it anymore.

No! Sewage is not the only problem. There are other people pollutingTo make air, water or earth dirty and harmful. England's rivers. Everyone needs to change.

Sewers - The underground pipes that take away water.

Sewage - Waste matter such as human waste.

Law - A rule that everyone must follow.

Polluting - To make air, water or earth dirty and harmful.