Glastonbury’s Plea: Avoid Peeing on the Land or Risk Festival ClosureGlastonbury’s Plea: Avoid Peeing on the Land or Risk Festival Closure As the legendary Glastonbury Festival approaches, organizers are issuing an urgent appeal to attendees: refrain from urinating on the ground. This seemingly innocuous act poses a serious environmental hazard and could potentially lead to the festival’s closure. The Whitelake River, which flows through the festival site, is contaminated by wastewater due to widespread public urination. Researchers have detected high levels of illicit drugs in the river, particularly after the 2019 festival, exceeding levels that can harm aquatic life. The Environment Agency, responsible for environmental protection, has warned that if too many festival-goers pollute the site, it has the authority to close it down. Glastonbury’s organizers emphasize that “peeing on the ground causes toxic contamination of the water table,” affecting wildlife and fish. To avoid this catastrophic scenario, attendees are strongly encouraged to use the thousands of designated toilets and urinals provided throughout the festival grounds. Ignoring this plea could jeopardize the future of Glastonbury, an iconic event that brings joy and entertainment to countless people. In the words of Glastonbury’s organizers, “It really could mean the end of Glastonbury if you pee where you shouldn’t. Please only pee in our thousands of toilets and urinals.” By heeding this warning, festival-goers can ensure the preservation of Glastonbury’s legacy for generations to come.
It happens, Instagram starts filling up with photos of people drinking cans at a campsite, dancing to your favorite artist in a field and watching the sunset from the top of a hill.
Oh yeah, it’s Glastonbury weekend and chances are if you’re not there you’re having serious FOMO from the music acts and the atmosphere and well, just everything about being there. Well, except the prices.
But if this disgusting act happens this weekend, it ‘really could be the end’ for the legendary British festival – which really does give you FOMO for life.
Although, it’s not really an act on one of the stages (I doubt Miss Dua Lipa will do this), but rather an act that those lucky enough to be there could perform themselves.
There are actually toilets everywhere on the site. (Kate Green/Getty Images)
Yes, I’m talking about those Glastonbury partygoers who could ruin it for the rest of us.
The festival has warned visitors ‘not to pee on the land’.
You read that right: if too many people decide to pull down their kecks and have a**s on the ground, they can force the festival to be shut down.
Glastonbury’s request explains: “Peeing on the ground causes toxic contamination of the water table. Groundwater flows into the central Whitelake River and into the valley for miles around. Wildlife and fish are affected as 200,000 people pee everywhere.”
It also says the Environment Agency regularly tests the water and has ‘the power to close the site if too many people’ are polluting the site.
“It really could mean the end of Glastonbury if you pee where you shouldn’t,” it continues. “Please only pee in our thousands of toilets and urinals.”
Peeing on land could end Glasto. (Ian Gavan/Getty Images)
And let’s just say some of that pee can be really toxic. In 2021, a report found that “environmentally hazardous levels of illegal drugs” were found in the river that flows through Glastonbury festival, thanks to all the public peeing on the site.
Researchers measured the levels of illicit drugs in the Whitelake River before, during and after the 2019 event, while comparing levels upstream and downstream of it.
And after that year’s festival, drug levels there were high enough to harm aquatic life. Dan Aberg, from Bangor University’s School of Natural Sciences, said: “Illegal drug contamination through public urination happens at every music festival.
“Unfortunately, the proximity of Glastonbury festival to a river means that any medicines released by festival-goers have little time to break down in the soil before entering the fragile freshwater ecosystem.”
So guys, listen to Glasto’s plea and don’t pee on the land. Just hold on and head to one of the thousands of toilets and urinals before you ruin it for the rest of us.
