Time and turd: is the RSPB releasing sewage into one of its marine reserves?
Shit happens. In this case, septic tank trouble has led to months of raw human waste spilling into the sea at the wildlife charity's notorious Coquet Island reserve
Leaked photos show a brown liquid pouring out of a pipe onto the beach at Coquet Island, an RSPB ‘reserve’ off the scenic Northumberland coast.
According to a source, untreated sewage has been flowing into the sea for months after the septic tank blocked. It’s full of “sludge”, which can be seen on the end of the shovel held by the warden below.
The sewage feed from the lighthouse in the RSPB compound was deliberately smashed by another warden several years ago after it started clogging up. Sticking to its policy of spending as few pennies as possible - besides CEO Beccy Speight’s big fat salary cheque - the wealthy charity hasn’t fixed it.
According to the source, the sludge should be liquid and “only occupy about 20% of the total volume”. These days, it’s full to the brim. Because of the backed-up sludge, incoming sewage flows over the top and straight out of the other side.
The issue was apparently reported to the Environment Agency a few months ago. I have written to the agency but it has not responded. It’s so hard to get a good plumber these days and then they charge you a fortune.
With summer here (sort of) and young birds filling the island, the reserve is at its busiest. This week I’m told there are 10 staff at the reserve some days. It’s a simple enough calculation you can do in your head to estimate the strain on the system.
Looking at stock photos of the island, there are brown stained areas underneath the pipe going back nearly two decades. Zooming in on the two in the combined images above - both from 2006 - it’s not hard to spot. Nor is it in a photo from 2012.
The island and lighthouse are owned by Northumberland Estates but the septic tank is RSPB’s responsibility, according to the lease.
This comes after Beccy Speight personally apologised to a donor for video of one of RSPB’s top wardens on Coquet Island killing a bird using his boot. Is it time for Northumberland Estates to reconsider its agreement with the charity?
By the way, RSPB has been banging on about cleaning up the rivers and seas recently. It seems odd then that it’s allowing its staff to basically crap directly into the North Sea. Just another crime against nature committed by ‘nature’s home‘.
UPDATE 2024/07/11
Today the Environment Agency sent redacted copies of two forms: the initial report and a follow-up asking why nothing has been done. I’ve also included some logging information so you can judge for yourself whether EA’s response was swift and effective, as you would expect from a reliable government agency.
With summer here (sort of) and young birds filling the island, the reserve is at its busiest. This week I’m told there are 10 staff at the reserve some days. It’s a simple enough calculation you can do in your head to estimate the strain on the system.
Is this calculation based on how much shit the RSPB staffers are shitting per day? Shame on you RSPB. Stop shitting around and clean up your shit!