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

Southern Water used its outfall pipes but the utility firm said what has been pumped into the sea around the Isle of Wight's coast is mostly rainwater.

Red flags on the map shows the outfalls sites within the last 24 hours, and yellow within the last 72 hours.

The Great Preston Road outfall in Ryde was 95 per cent rainwater, Southern Water said.

It publishes the 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."

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.

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.