There were discharges into The Solent at locations around the Isle of Wight yesterday, (Monday), after heavy rain.

Warnings had already been in place, for Cowes, Bembridge and St Helens, Sandown, and Ryde after earlier discharges 'within 72 hours'.

Today's warnings are for Yarmouth, Cowes, and Bembridge, after Southern Water used its outfall pipes between around 8pm and 9.30pm, on Monday.

The utility firm argues what is pumped into the sea around the Isle of Wight's coast is mostly rainwater and it publishes information on its Beachbuoy website. 

Last month, in an area-wide email, 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."

Last night, thunderstorms swept over the Island.

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There is increasing pressure on the utility firms to invest more in infrastructure and to find alternatives to pumping discharge into our seas and rivers.

At the end of August, Isle of Wight MP Bob Seely shared details of the Defra (Department for environment, food and rural affairs) plan to tackle the problem.

Revealed on social media announcement, Defra called it the "largest infrastructure programme in water company history to crack down on sewage spills and end pollution."

It said 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.

In the storm overflows discharge reduction plan, targets and challenges are set out for water companies and the Government - along with a warning for bill payers.

Under the plan, storm overflows will only be allowed on average 10 times per year, by 2050.

Harmful pathogens must be reduced near swimming areas, where water quality is monitored between the start of May and the end of September, "by either: applying disinfection; or reducing the frequency of discharges to meet Environment Agency spill standards by 2035."

Fines and the threat of prison for chief executives and board members , in the most serious of cases, will be introduced.

There is also a warning for householders.

As the cost of living crisis looms, from 2025, water bills will rise - with warnings of variations depending on where we live.