The Island’s MP and local councillors recently met with Southern Water to hear about their plans for the future – particularly when it comes to sewage discharge.
Politicians got together around the table at Southern Water’s sewage treatment plant in Sandown on Friday to discuss a number of matters, including why the Island’s waters and beaches are still being polluted with raw sewage.
Councillors Bacon, Andre, Jarman and Quigley joined Mr Seely in talking to Southern Water’s Area Manager for the Isle of Wight, Keith Herbert and other senior utility company officials – including its chief executive.
Bob Seely MP has said that the Island needs clean water at local beaches and that better care of the environment needs to be taken, especially in The Bay area, Seaview, East Cowes, Gurnard and the West Wight where issues have already been raised.
Bob has said:
“We need clean water around our beaches and we need to take better care of the environment. We need to move to a future where, on principle, we do not pump any raw sewage into the seas around the Isle of Wight. We also need to protect the environment.
“Water quality is a complex issue. Road and agricultural run-off account for some of the nasty stuff that gets into the sea around the Island, so it is not just about the water firms. However, Southern Water needs to step up to improve their own standards and to plan for the future.
Article continues below this advertisement “I am grateful to Southern Water for talking with Councillors and myself. I would also like to thank all those Islanders that have contacted me about pollution in the West Wight, Gurnard, East Cowes, Seaview, the Bay Area, and other areas.
“If any individual parish or town Councils want to talk directly to Southern Water, please let me know and I will pass on details to Southern Water”.
As a result of the meeting, Southern Water has pledged to work with the Council and MP to establish best practice on the Island for both reducing sewage emissions and making best use of water. This includes the aim of making the Island a model of sustainable usage.
Earlier this month Island Echo reported that Southern Water has been take-over by Macquarie, with £2billion of investment expected.
The news comes just months after Southern Water was fined £90million for illegally dumping sewage into the Solent and other locations.
Did they discuss Ryde’s latest tourist attraction at Appley?!?
It’s 2021! There must be some other way to dispose of it? why is anyone anywhere in England still allowed to pump sewage into our seas, it’s not acceptable. It’s disgusting. What about the fact that People swim in the sea? Wildlife? Sort it out??
Brown envelope time.
why trust this lot with there actions over housing i have no faith in what they do in the future
Any fine will be passed on to us, they will never suffer.
Most of the sewage probably came from this bunch in the first place! They are full of it…
More or less exactly what I said, but my comment got removed for some reason.
Same
Its not worth commenting on here any more
IE must be part of the council so I don’t think i will even bother with this site any more
We are suffering from the Maggie Thatcher legacy. Privatise the water companies (which we as citizens already owned) and let them try to make a profit for the share holders. You reap what you sow and to change it you would need to get rid of this corrupt government. All Southern Water is concerned about is making a profit.