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Photo: Dave Barnwell/surfhog.com The river that runs into the surf at Godrevy, Cornwall, is not named Red River without reason. Years ago mineral deposits from the local tin mines used to turn the water red, but in more recent times causes are more likely to have been residual chemicals from mining, run off from the local farm land and most worryingly of all, overflow from the nearby CSO. At the beginning of this week, a day of extremely heavy rainfall left the lineup stained and looking particularly uninviting the following day. Dave Barnwell shot this video for his site www.surfhog.com Ironically, whilst this was being filmed, Andy Cummins, Surfers Against Sewage's Campaign Manager, was in Westminster talking with MPs, the Environment Agency and water companies about the impact of CSOs (Combined Sewage Overflows) on water quality and the need for short term pollution warnings. 
It is fairly common after heavy rainfall for the water quality to suffer where rivers run into the sea, but whatever is to blame for this particularly colourful day at Gwithian, the burning question is... would you still paddle out? 
If you witness scenes like this call the SAS Pollution Hotline on 01872 555 950 and the Environment Agency Pollution Hotline on 0800 80 70 60
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Maybe we should scrap the idea of sewers and treatment plants and just shit in our back gardens?
Or employ people who are actually competent in its managment.