Scientists discovered that the river that runs through Glastonbury Festival was contaminated by illegal drugs. This is due to the public's urination.
Researchers compared levels downstream and upstream of Glastonbury Festival to determine the levels of illegal drugs in the river.
According to the report, the drug levels in River Whitelake after the 2019 festival were high enough that they could harm aquatic wildlife including a very rare eel population.
The amount of MDMA in the water was 104 times higher downstream than it was upstream during the week following the festival. This could have adverse effects on the life cycle and survival of European eels (a protected species). Although the cocaine concentration was 40 times greater downstream, it was not considered to be harmful to aquatic life.
Research has shown that cocaine residues in rivers can cause eels hyperactivity, muscle wastage, impaired digestion and hormonal changes.
Anguilla anguilla, a protected European eel. Image by imageBROKER/Alamy
Dan Aberg of Bangor University's School of Natural Sciences stated that illicit drug contamination by public urination occurs at every music festival. Glastonbury festival attendees are often close to rivers, which means that any drugs they release have little time to decay in the soil and enter the fragile freshwater ecosystem.
Glastonbury Festival spokesperson said that protecting streams, wildlife and habitat was of vital importance and that they were happy to work with researchers to learn their findings and make recommendations.
As per the agreement with the Environment Agency, we have a successful and thorough waterways sampling program in place for each festival. The Environment Agency raised no concerns following Glastonbury 2019.
Glastonburys organizers launched Don't Pee on the Land to raise awareness about the environmental harm caused by public urination on Worthy Farm.
Glastonburys organizers have asked that you only use the many urinals available on the site. This is part of their anti-public urination campaign. Photograph by Glastonbury Festival/PA
They tweeted that peeing on Glastonbury's land can pollute the water table and affect local wildlife. If there is excessive pollution, the Environment Agency has the power to close down the site. You are not allowed to use the many urinals or toilets available on the site.
Glastonburys responded to the research by describing public urination the greatest threat to our waterways, and the wildlife that they provide as a habitat.
They stated that the Dont Pee on the Land campaign had been a success and they will continue to fight the practice. They also said that they don't condone illegal drug use at Glastonbury.
Researchers monitored Redlake, a nearby river that does not cross the festival area. The festival site was not responsible for any significant drug releases.
They also suggested other mitigation measures, such as constructed treatment wetlands, also known by reedbeds, which use natural functions and vegetation, soil, and living organisms to provide additional wastewater treatment.
Bangor University's Dr Christian Dunn called drug and pharmaceutical residue a dangerous, understudied, but potentially deadly pollutant.
The Covid-19 pandemic has prevented Glastonbury festival from taking place since 2019. It put up accommodation packages for tipis, camper vans and pre-erected tents last week, which suggests a brighter outlook for next year's festival.
The organizers hosted a Live From Worthy farm stream in May featuring performances by Coldplay, Michael Kiwanuka, and Wolf Alice.
