News / protest
Protesters call for ‘tides without turds’
A 90ft-long E coli model inflated near Baltic Wharf stared at boats, cyclists and walkers passing by the docks on Saturday morning.
The inflatable model designed by artist Luke Jerram was part of the UK-wide Surfers Against Sewage protests against the disposal of untreated sewage into water bodies.
‘Tides without turds’, ‘cut the crap’ and ‘no poolution’ were some of the many creative anti-poo slogans seen with protesters, some of whom paddled around the docks as part of the protest.
E coli are fecal bacteria generally found in water bodies due to sewage discharge
“I’m trying to get back into surfing and I’m sick of not being able to go into the sea because of the sewage,” said Amy Sinclair, who loves open water swimming.
Imogen Brown, who grew up in New Zealand, recalled having core childhood memories of “being able to swim around”, which she thinks everyone should be able to experience for themselves.
Shannon Ball, who wore a sash reading ‘cut the crap’, said she was “sick” of people not being able to swim in their local waters. “It’s unsafe and it’s making people sick, and it’s got to stop,” she added.
The giant E coli was first commissioned and built in 2015 – photo: Rob Browne
The inflatable model of the E coli, a fecal bacteria found in water bodies due to sewage discharge, was first commissioned and built in 2015 by Jerram and Cameron Balloons for the KREBS Fest at the University of Sheffield.
“I think the docks could be this amazing place where people could swim, it could be for wildlife,” said Jerram, when speaking to Bristol24/7. “If you go to Copenhagen, they’ve got an amazing lido on the docks. Whereas here, it is being used, but it is still quite polluted.”
Ahead of the protest on Saturday, Surfers Against Sewage rep for Bristol Anna Steele-Perkins said: “Profit always comes before people and nature. It’s inhumane and I’ve had enough.
“Whether you’re a surfer, paddle-boarder, wild swimmer, or are simply sick of rising water bills, we’re asking you to join us to demand an end to sewage being dumped into our precious waterways.”
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All photos and videos: Karen Johnson
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