British sewage overflows stink up relations across Channel

PARIS (AP) — EU lawmakers have a new reason to be annoyed with Britain: British sewage overflows seeping into the English Channel and North Sea. Heavy rainfall after weeks of dry weather has overwhelmed parts of the British sewage system, causing untreated wastewater to be discharged into rivers and seas in recent days. This is mainly a problem for British citizens, who have been banned from beaches this week and are concerned about the impact on wildlife. But French lawmakers sent a letter this week to the European Commission warning that the British sewage spills could also threaten bathing waters, fishing grounds and biodiversity on EU territory.