The Isle of Wight's MP has raised the issue of sewage pollution with the minister in charge and been told any solution for allowing water companies to use the sea for their outfall pipe discharges is long term.
Speaking today (Tuesday), Bob Seely said:"We have seen the complacency and the failure in the water industry, but because of that failure and complacency should we now not be bringing forward the legal timescales by which we are demanding action?
"We’ve exposed the problem, can we not now be doing more to demand that those water companies take the action we all want to see?"
His comments follow a series of discharges off the Isle of Wight's coast in recent weeks, including last night.
SW's most ambitious pathfinder project is on the Island. It starts this year and will deliver significant improvements.
— Bob Seely MP (@IoWBobSeely) September 6, 2022
I welcome gov't bringing a record number of prosecutions against water firms. I believe we also need to shorten the timeframes by which we demand change. pic.twitter.com/Rfy5LMiWfp
Southern Water argues what is discharged is mainly rainwater and says it happens when heavy rain threatens to overwhelm an aging sewage system.
However, there was outcry in August, when outfalls were used despite mainly dry, sunny and hot weather, and as Islanders and visitors enjoyed beaches.
Environmental campaigners say any sewage in the sea is too much.
"Long-term investment and infrastructure"
Responding to Mr Seely's question, George Eustice, secretary of state for environment, food and rural affairs, said it is vital to separate the times when water companies fail to follow the rules, and when they use storm overflows with permission.
Mr Eustice said: "[It is] an issue around long-term investment and infrastructure, which is what our discharge plan addressed."
Under a new Defra plan to get water companies to clean up their acts, new measures are coming into force.
Along with a warning for us to expect higher water bills from 2025, 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.
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