A new young adult novel inspired by the UK's sewage crisis is set to be published later this month, with half of all profits going to the charity Surfers Against Sewage (SAS). Written by C M Taylor, Floaters follows a group of teenagers whose favourite swimming spot is contaminated by sewage, leading to a satisfying comeuppance for those responsible.
Taylor, who lives in Oxfordshire, was motivated by his own experiences canoeing on the Thames with his daughters. They stopped swimming in the river after learning how frequently sewage was being discharged into the water. 'There's a very active environmental network doing citizen science in our area and that's really helped educate us about the declining water quality,' Taylor said.
The initial print run is limited to 215 copies, one for each mile of the Thames. Taylor described it as 'a cute conceit,' though he acknowledged that some purists argue the river is actually 218 miles long. The book is described as a 'coming-of-age revenge caper,' blending environmental activism with a teen-focused narrative.
The release coincides with a crucial year for water policy in the UK. In July, the water reform bill will be introduced in parliament, alongside consultations on bathing water regulations and environmental offence sanctions. Campaigners hope the novel, along with upcoming TV dramas like Channel 4's Dirty Business, will help turn the tide on public awareness, similar to the impact of ITV's Mr Bates vs the Post Office on the Post Office scandal.
'I've been thinking about sewage for a long time and I've been wanting to write something set on a river,' Taylor said. 'And I love capers – there are lots of stories that are heists, but there are not enough capers.'
