This is the best summary I could come up with:

For 13 years, Mike Deacon monitored pollution levels in the river Ouse in Sussex, gathering data as a volunteer to help the Environment Agency take action.

Companies have asked customers to foot a £96bn bill to upgrade the water network, with plans to tackle sewage, reduce leaks and build new reservoirs.

Deacon, a former advertising art director, began fishing at the age of five, catching eels with his father and getting along to the river with his friends from the Landport estate in Lewes whenever he could.

The most recent salmonid and freshwater fisheries data shows that in 2021 there were 17 sea trout catches in the Sussex Ouse reported by licensed anglers, substantially lower than the 10-year mean of 54.4 per year.

We know how important the Sussex Ouse is to Mike and we salute his courage, tenacity and passion in taking on Britain’s worst performing water company.”

“We are also working hard to balance making vital improvements to our network while keeping customer bills as low as possible, and will only move at a pace that is acceptable to both our communities and the regulator.”

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