Island Echo always welcomes letters to the editor, which may of course not reflect the views of the publication and its staff.
Letter to the editor – 19th August 2026
“After this summer, it’s clear that water security is becoming a major concern for all of us.
“The proposed wastewater recycling plant in Sandown raises two serious issues: three years of major disruption and potential ecological damage locally, and the long-term reality of recycled wastewater entering the Island’s drinking water supply, particularly at higher concentrations during droughts.
Article continues below this advertisement “Most people agree that action is needed to improve our water resilience. The problem is that Southern Water is asking us to accept this scheme as the best solution, in the best location, without providing many of the key facts needed to justify that claim. The regulatory framework needed to guarantee safe operation and water quality has not even been finalised.
“Despite the scale of the decision, only around 50 residents, mostly from Sandown, have submitted objections.
“The deadline to comment on the planning application (25/01619/FUL) is 21st August.
“If you have concerns, please consider submitting an objection to the Isle of Wight Council and contacting your ward councillor, especially if they sit on the planning committee.
“If this scheme is approved, the Island will live with the consequences, and the costs, for decades. There is still time to make your voice heard.”
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Paddy Lightfoot
Sandown
Too be honest Sandown has become the islands
Cesspit.
Look at all the derelict hotels along the seafront
and behind the seafront.
What has your opinion of Sandown got to do with this issue?
If this recycling plant is needed better to place
it in a location that is run down than putting
it in Shanklin for example.
My opinion of Sandown is that it USED to be a great
place.
NOT ANYMORE
LOL !!
I don’t know how old you are, but you need to go
back to the early 1980’s to see Sandown at it’s best.
This should never be allowed to happen, what haven’t they built a couple of new underground reservoirs here on the Island.
the proposal which is under discussion needs to go back to the drawing board for major alterations and safety thoughts to be improvised within the scheme
After a hot summer the subject of water security has become front page news again, forgetting that three months earlier we had one of the wettest springs for a decade, so its not a lack of water but the lack of available storage, water treatment works or re cycling foul water is now becoming the norm amongst water companies because it is far cheaper than making a large hole in the ground and filling it with water. A new reservoir had been identified in oxfordshire in 2020, but because people didnt want such an essential item on their doorstep the enquiries and hearings mean it will not come on line until 2034.
Why are Southern Water not looking at a sea water desalontion plant as we are surround by an endless supply of the stuff. If cruise ships can do this to get there water supply then at sea surly SW could look into it. Mind they would have to stop dumping sewage into the sea first.