Southern Water is facing a renewed vote of no confidence this coming week, with Isle of Wight councillors demanding Government intervention over sewage pollution, flooding and rising water bills that have increased by almost 60% in just 2 years.
Councillor Les Kirkby has secured the return of a motion originally brought forward by Councillor Becca Cameron, which will now be considered at Full Council on Wednesday (18th November).
The motion follows continuing concerns about Southern Water’s environmental performance, wastewater infrastructure and whether increased customer bills are delivering meaningful improvements for Isle of Wight residents.
An earlier vote of no confidence was rejected by Full Council in July, despite a petition backed by thousands of Islanders.
Instead, councillors agreed an alternative motion calling for greater scrutiny and accountability of the water company.
However, Councillors Kirkby and Cameron are now seeking a stronger response, including Government intervention and clear commitments on improvements to the Island’s wastewater network.
Councillor Les Kirkby has said:
“We now have the voice of the Island’s residents being represented at the Isle of Wight Council.”
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According to figures highlighted by the councillors, Southern Water’s average annual household water and wastewater bill has risen from £478 in 2024/25 to £759 in 2026/27 – an increase of approximately 59%.
The councillors say customers are now paying an average of £120 more than the national average, despite continuing concerns about sewage discharges and flooding.
Southern Water’s environmental record has also come under scrutiny following the Environment Agency’s latest environmental performance assessment, published on Thursday (29th October).
The company was awarded the lowest possible rating of 1 star out of 4 and recorded the highest rate of sewerage pollution incidents relative to sewer length among England’s 9 major water and sewerage companies.
Councillor Becca Cameron, who represents Freshwater South, has said:
“This is not about party politics. Clean water, healthy rivers and seas, and reliable wastewater infrastructure should matter to every councillor, regardless of political affiliation.
“We need a water system that works for people and wildlife.
“Dirty rivers and seas, sewage spills, flooding, water shortages and increasing pressure on our infrastructure are not separate problems. They are all connected, and they need to be addressed together.”
The councillor has raised particular concerns about the West Wight, where communities including Freshwater, Yarmouth, Totland and Colwell have experienced longstanding problems with sewage spills.
She has also questioned whether Southern Water’s current investment plans go far enough to address the area’s wastewater infrastructure needs.
Councillor Cameron continued:
“Southern Water’s average household bills have risen by almost 60% in just two years, yet residents are still waiting to see meaningful improvements. What exactly are we getting for this additional money?
“I have reviewed Southern Water’s Asset Plan, and I do not believe it goes far enough to address the problems we are experiencing in the West Wight.
“We need to know how much is being invested in our local wastewater infrastructure, which schemes are funded and when they will be delivered.
“We cannot be expected to pay substantially more and then be told we must wait another five, ten or fifteen years for sewage spills to stop. Our residents have already waited years.”
Concerns have also been raised about the capacity of the existing wastewater network, particularly the Norton to Shalfleet pipeline, and whether it can accommodate further development without significant upgrades.
Councillor Cameron has questioned how plans to remove surface water from sewers will be funded and whether alternative drainage arrangements could increase the risk of flooding.
The renewed motion seeks to bring the Isle of Wight’s concerns to the attention of the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Dame Angela Eagle MP.
Councillors want greater clarity about what action has been taken following the Council’s July resolution, which called for concerns about Southern Water to be raised with the Government, Ofwat and the Environment Agency.
They are also calling for an Isle of Wight-specific improvement programme detailing which projects will be funded, where work will take place, when it will be completed and how much sewage pollution will be reduced.
Councillor Cameron added:
“Declaring no confidence is not about refusing to work with Southern Water. It is about recognising the seriousness of the problems and demanding demonstrable improvements.
“The Isle of Wight Council cannot regulate Southern Water, but it can represent the people who are paying for its services and living with the consequences when those services fall short.
“We cannot allow this to become another exercise in producing reports and promises while the pollution continues.
“Residents need properly funded improvements, clear delivery dates and evidence that sewage discharges are being reduced.
“We cannot wait years more for clean rivers and seas. The people of the Isle of Wight deserve a water system that works, and they deserve to know when they are going to get it.”
