South West Water issues warning to wild swimmers they they could be putting their lives in danger if they take part in a mass swim protest in its reservoirs this weekend.
Swimmers are expected to will break the law en masse in ‘Right to Swim’ protest organised by the Outdoor Swimming Society this Sunday at the Kinder Reservoir in the Peak District.
However it is also encouraging people to swim at other reservoirs in the UK if they can't make it prompting the warning from South West Water
Campaigners are calling for open access to the 2,000 reservoirs that span England and Wales after sewage dumping in lakes and rivers left many too dangerous to swim in.
South West Water says it is aware that potential protests may be held at some locations across the country on Sunday, as part of a national campaign.
"This campaign is encouraging people to go swimming in their local body of open water, including lakes and reservoirs," it says
"We would like to remind local residents why swimming is not allowed in our reservoirs, and the dangers they pose.
“We recognise the right to protest peacefully, however we need to stress the reason we don’t allow swimming at our reservoirs and lakes is because it is very dangerous.
“Our reservoirs are active operational sites supplying water to our region. They contain deep, cold water and hidden hazards like strong currents below the surface.”
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