News

Boaters asked to use phosphate-free detergents

15th Oct 2008

This is a request and not something that BW will specifically monitor or try to enforce. It is explained here why phosphates are bad for our canals and rivers and why BW think all boaters should try to do their bit to help.

What’s the problem?
Our canals and rivers are much cleaner than they have been for at least a hundred years. This is largely due to big improvements in the quality of effluents discharged into them from sewage works and factories. One problem that still remains, however, is what scientists call "eutrophication". This means that excessive amounts of plant nutrients – mainly phosphates in inland waters – are present, which cause a proliferation of plant and algae growth.

Too many aquatic plants can become an obstruction to navigation, cause levels of oxygen in the water to fall dangerously low, and prevent rare and more delicate plants from growing. Too many algae can also cause oxygen levels to fall, and some species (blue green algae) can produce a scum that is potentially harmful to humans, pets, and farm animals.

What are boaters being asked to do?
British Waterways (BW) has always allowed boaters to discharge "grey water" (waste water from sinks and showers) overboard. This is perfectly legal and has not caused any problems to date. However, the number of boats using the network is growing, and there is also a trend for some to have dishwashers and washing machines, with the waste water plumbed into the grey water system. This means that the amount of pollution from boats is gradually increasing, and at a time where other forms of pollution are being better controlled.

In most waterways the amount is still small compared with other sources, but BW need to show that they are doing all that is reasonable to control the situation. BW realise that a ban on overboard discharge of grey water would be very inconvenient for boaters, but think that using phosphate-free detergents and soaps is something that all boaters can do at minimal cost. Indeed for some time BW has recommended the use of "environmentally friendly" detergents in the Boaters Handbook.

What products are phosphate-free?
There are an increasing number of "green" products on the market, many of which will be phosphate-free (it will say on the label). Examples are Ecover, Tesco’s "Naturally" range, Sainsbury’s "Cleanhome" range, Faith in Nature’s "Clear Spring" range, or the Bio-D range available from many Oxfam shops. For washing machines, some "wash-balls" are also phosphate-free, such as the T-Wave laundry discs.

For floating businesses such as hotel boats, floating restaurants and food retail boats that have to comply with rigorous health and hygiene rules, Ecover produce a range of eco-responsible professional products for the food industry.

Many of these products are available from Tia, a company that sells environmentally responsible products to the inland waterways community from a narrowboat in the South Midlands area.

Shampoos and shower gels by ethical stores such as Lush and Body Shop are also likely to be acceptable

The Green Directory website will soon have more details of which products to use. This is a web-based directory for boating consumers of products and services which claim to be more environmentally sensitive. It is provided by Sailing Networks Ltd, a company providing information services for individuals and companies involved in sailing and boating. The directory is supported by The Green Blue, a joint environmental initiative by the BMF and RYA. The Green Blue website contains a wealth of information for boaters on how to reduce their environmental impact.

Check the Navigation Rules
If in doubt, boaters are advised to check the Navigation Rules.

Read more
There are many other "green" shopping websites where you can find out more. Examples are:
The BBC
The Guardian
Ethical Consumer
ecotopia.co.uk
The Greenshop
Ecozone
CAT
Honesty Cosmetics
Natural Collection
New Consumer

Please note the products and services listed above are not specifically endorsed by British Waterways, and the list is not comprehensive.