An alleged emptying of ‘untreated sewage’ into the Norton Pumping Station has been raised at the Isle of Wight Council.
Freshwater South’s Councillor Becca Cameron asked a question on the “serious matter” at last Thursday’s economy, regeneration, transport and infrastructure (ERTIC) committee meeting.
The Empowering Islanders group representative previously said local artist Anna Keen witnessed and photographed an incident involving a tanker on 6th July.
Ms Keen had spoken to the tanker’s driver who stated he was discharging sewage from a Lithuanian ship, according to Cllr Cameron. The pumping station is close to the internationally protected Solent and Southampton Water Ramsar site.
Cllr Cameron said:
“A lorry or tanker was recently seen emptying untreated sewage from a ship into the Norton Pumping Station. Southern Water has stated in writing that it was pumping chemicals.
“Photographs show that the lorry did not have the required signage, and Southern Water has no licence to do this. Will the committee investigate this serious matter and take the appropriate action?”
Reading out a written response, ERTIC’s Alliance group chair Cllr Julie Jones-Evans said:
“Council officers have submitted an environmental information request to Southern Water to understand this query in greater detail.
“However, it must be noted that in England and Wales water companies are held accountable by OFWAT, the economic regulator and the Environment Agency.”
The results of the request are due to be sent to ERTIC and Cllr Cameron.
Cllr Chris Jarman, leader of the Empowering Islanders group and representative for Totland and Colwell, told the chamber:
“A declaration of interest that I was out with my walking group and witnessed…and took photographs of one of the tankers at the scene pumping material out which was later disclosed by Southern Water to be chemicals into the Norton Pumping Station.
“The earlier time we observed that, it was quite clear from the overflow running from the station into Yarmouth Harbour that the material contained a brown slurry with lumpy bits which I would hesitate to call chemicals and would probably assign to some other material…
“The bottom line is that the incident was first denied by Southern Water – then it was postulated by them that it was chemicals – I believe they’ve see-sawed between that and sewage.
“The driver tanker themselves identified it as effluent that had been brought from the mainland from a Lithuanian tanker from their sewage and bilge which was being emptied into the sewage network on the Isle of Wight.
“We further were informed that it’s occurring at three different locations on the Island.”
He said that photographs showing the vehicles in question “did not display any Hazchem warnings at all”. Hazchem safety signs are used on vehicles transporting hazardous materials.
Cllr Jarman added the matter was “probably a police issue” and highways related if chemicals were being discharged, as “finally claimed” by Southern Water.
In response, Southern Water’s John Penicud has said:
“After receiving concerns about tanker activity at our Norton Transfer Wastewater Pumping Station in July, we have been clear that claims that the site accepts trade waste are categorically false and misleading.
“The tanker in question was delivering chemicals to site, which assist in reducing odours. The vehicle was displaying the correct signage for the chemicals being used, this vehicle, to be clear, was not carrying trade waste.
“We have invited those who have contacted us about these claims to visit the site for a tour, where we can explain how our treatment processes work.”
Southern Water and Hampshire and Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary have been approached for comment.
this is an outrage!! We should install speed bumps
In the sea in the harbour to stop the poo escaping, EiE? Hmm, I guess the bumps could also be used to generate wave poo power? Why not look on the positive side for a change…
Now we know ! Southern water & their dirty tricks ! Why on earth bring it to the Island !!!!!!
Shocking shocking shocking !!!!’n
What on earth does this mean?! “The tanker driver THEMSELVES”! One or more than one? Multiply sexed or sexless?! A split personality perhaps?! No wonder the English language is going to the dogs, and the literacy of the younger generation of its users, too!
Perhaps this could be raised with the Police and Crime Commissioner to see what she is doing to ensure police do not permit such contamination to occur.
Words are not enough; this sort of thing should end with a prison sentence. Someone call Fergal Sharkey quick!
Why are southern highway men, sorry water, bringing waste from the mainland to our island, surely this must be more expensive or is it that there are more people watching.