Bob Seely says volume of stormwater discharges is ‘unacceptable’

According to SAS, from October 2020 to September 2021, Gurnard had 321 discharges, the highest incident of sewage discharge in the UK.

Cowes closely followed Gurnard, with 318 discharges.

Ben Willows, CEO of UKSA, said: “As a local organisation and provider of water-based training and adventures, it is of great concern for UKSA to understand that Gurnard and Cowes are reported as one of the worst affected areas in the UK for sewage discharges.

“We are extremely passionate about the sea as it sits at the heart of everything we do.

“The welfare of our island community, visiting families and school children, our students and the local wildlife are of utmost importance to us and the wider local economy.

“Damage to this environment caused by these sewage discharges must be prevented, and current processes need to be addressed by Southern Water and through appropriate and fit for purpose government regulation.”

Earlier this year, Southern Water was slammed for its performance and was fined £90 million.

However, the utility firm argues that discharge is made up of around 95 per cent rainwater and denies that raw, untreated sewage is pumped out.

Read more: 'Say no to sewage' braves Sandown sea and Storm Arwen for November dip

The Isle of Wight protest called for action over sewage in our seas.

Bob Seely MP said: “I am grateful to those who have taken the time to bring these issues to the fore and campaign for change.

“The report further highlights the current problem we have with stormwater discharges around the Island’s coast.

“We all agree that the current frequency and volume of stormwater discharges is unacceptable.

“I recognise this, and the government recognises this.

“The question has always been about how we tackle it, and the answer is through legal enforcement.

“I am pleased that we now have new legislation that will force water companies to significantly reduce the frequency and volume of storm overflows.

“That is a huge step forward from where we were.

“I was also pleased when Environment Minister Rebecca Pow confirmed that ecological sites and bathing waters would be looked at first because, in my mind, there is no doubt that this applies to the Isle of Wight.

“What I am keen to see is Southern Water making the Island a priority area for water clean-up, and while I welcome their assurance that Sandown will be a ‘pathfinder’ area with £23m, being invested to increase flow capacity at the Sandown site, the question remains, what about the rest of the Island?

“That is the question I am currently seeking an answer to.”

The full report is available to read on the Surfers Against Sewage website www.sas.org.uk/water-quality.