More Southern Water discharges mean many Isle of Wight beaches have been hit by new warnings about water quality, with sewage and rainwater pumped into the sea along our north and east coasts, over the last 48 hours.

The summer holidays have yet to draw to a close and our temperatures are hitting the 20s, but many are choosing not to go into the sea following a series of discharges from outfall pipes.

According to the company's own monitoring site, Beachbuoy, "a Southern Water release may be affecting water quality" at locations highlighted on its interactive map - shown above and marked red or orange.

It appears there were so many, the company sent a statement to media organisations on Thursday, to explain what was going on.

What are the discharges off the Isle of Wight's coast?

In yesterday's email a spokesperson for the Southern Water said: "Extreme rain can overwhelm the combined sewer and drainage system which exists in many parts of our region.

"To protect homes, schools and businesses from flooding has led to some overflows – releasing excess water into the sea.

"These discharges are heavily diluted, typically being 95 per cent rainwater.

"We are dedicated to significantly reducing storm overflows and are running innovative pilot schemes across the region to reduce the amount of rainfall entering our combined sewers by 2030."

Yesterday (Thursday, August 25) outfall pipes at Sandown were used (including a 13 hour-long pump), pipes near Cowes and Gurnard activated, and the Norton Transfer outfall triggered, along with one at Yarmouth.

It follows discharges on August 17 and another, just days into the summer break.

Read more:

What has the Isle of Wight's MP said about the use of outfall pipes?

Last week, in response to the August 17 discharge, the Isle of Wight County Press asked for a statement from Isle of Wight MP Bob Seely.

We were sent this: "Last year, we persuaded Southern Water to invest millions of pounds into the Island and to use the Island as their national pilot scheme.

"That £56 million scheme, the most extensive of Southern Water’s in Britain, includes: £23 million of investment at their Sandown site, repairing their main Seaview outfall, installing a £3 million storm water retention tank at Shanklin, and Southern Water’s continuing pathfinder project to reduce the need for Combined Sewage Overflows.

"Any discharge is bad.

"I am concerned by the effect Combined Sewage Overflows have on the Island.

"We need clean sea and river water for Islanders, for visitors and for our environment."

Today, on social media, Mr Seely said: "Government is taking action to significantly reduce sewage discharges from storm overflows - and it is the first government to do so."

Defra announces plans to tackle the use of outfall pipes - but what does that mean?

Today (Friday), Defra (Department for environment, food and rural affairs) has revealed more about how it plans to hold water companies to account.

In a social media announcement, it said it is launching what it calls the "largest infrastructure programme in water company history to crack down on sewage spills and end pollution."

It says water companies will have to achieve targets, so discharges only happen when there is unusually heavy rain and when there is no immediate adverse impact to the local environment.

It has been argued a complete ban on discharging into the sea would be impossible to enforce, due to the pressure on our aging sewage system.

By 2035, water companies will have to improve all storm overflows discharging into, or near, every designated bathing water site; and improve 75 per cent of overflows discharging to high priority nature sites.

By 2050, Defra says the targets will apply to all remaining storm overflows, regardless of location.

It also says: "The plan sets out our wider expectations for the water industry, to ensure their infrastructure keeps pace with increasing external pressures, such as urban growth and climate change, to ensure our water supplies remain clean and secure for the future."

Critics have accused today's announcement of being an example of 'green washing'.

Environment Secretary George Eustice said: "We will require water companies to protect everyone who uses our water for recreation, and ensure storm overflows pose no threat to the environment.

"Water companies will need to invest to stop unacceptable sewage spills so our rivers and coast lines can have greater protection than ever before."

Who will pay for improvements?

Under the Defra plan, there will be no changes to water bills until 2025.

The Government says it has ruled out options that could add up to £817 a year to average household water bills.

A consultation will start on a new water affordability scheme for less well-off households.

A raft of measures have also been brought forward in our Environment Act to tackle sewage discharges, including the requirement for greater transparency from water companies on their storm overflow data.

The government is also supporting proposals by watchdog, Ofwat, for extra powers to take action against companies that don’t link shareholders' dividend payments to environmental performance, or those who fail to be transparent about their dividend pay-outs.