MPs from across the South West of England have voiced serious concerns over the worsening condition of the UK’s rivers and waterways, highlighting issues such as raw sewage discharges, degraded infrastructure, and insufficient regulation. The issues were brought to the fore in a passionate debate held in Parliament, where members detailed numerous incidents of environmental damage and public health risks resulting from under-investment and inadequate control of water management and farming practices.

Brian Mathew, the Liberal Democrat MP for Melksham and Devizes, condemned water companies for their failure to modernise ageing sewage systems. He pointed to a recent incident in which Wessex Water was fined £500,000 after raw sewage was discharged into Clackers Brook, resulting in the death of over 2,000 fish along a one-kilometre stretch. “These kinds of incidents cannot be allowed to persist,” Mathew told Gloucestershire Live. During a visit to a constituent’s home in West Lavington, Mathew observed a chalk stream contaminated by sewage following a manhole burst caused by heavy rainfall. Although he acknowledged Wessex Water’s £2 million investment in a sewage storage facility in Bradford-on-Avon, he stressed that more action is needed to safeguard aquatic ecosystems. He also flagged concerns about modern farming practices—including expanded maize cultivation and intensive poultry farming—contributing to surface run-off and phosphate pollution.

Another Liberal Democrat MP, Dr Roz Savage of South Cotswolds, detailed the human health implications of water pollution. She recounted the case of a young volunteer, Ben Thornbury, who contracted sepsis while cleaning the River Avon in Malmesbury. “Sadly—let no good deed go unpunished—he had picked up sepsis from the pollution in the river,” Dr Savage said. Despite the bleak situation, she expressed optimism by highlighting the efforts of local groups and citizen scientists who had documented 80 pollution incidents in Wiltshire and Gloucestershire last year. Dr Savage welcomed the forthcoming implementation of real-time water pollution reporting and encouraged public involvement in community initiatives such as the Earthwatch WaterBlitz.

Anna Sabine, MP for Frome and East Somerset, emphasised the need for greater support and funding for the Environment Agency, stressing that volunteer efforts should not be expected to replace official oversight. Dr Savage concurred, stating, “Although I commend those grassroots efforts, that is not their job.”

Edward Morello, MP for West Dorset, painted a grim picture of water quality in his constituency, reporting that more than 4,000 sewage spills had occurred in 2024 alone, leading to over 48,000 hours of raw sewage contaminating local water bodies. Only four of 36 monitored water bodies were considered to be in good ecological health. Morello highlighted the disparity between the water company executives, who collectively received £51 million in salaries and bonuses, and the communities that suffer the environmental consequences. He warned that persistent pollution threatens West Dorset’s tourism industry, which generated more than £300 million in 2022. Morello proposed stronger regulations including requiring water companies to be statutory consultees on new housing developments and introducing a “blue flag” status for clean rivers and chalk streams, similar to existing standards for beaches.

Sarah Dyke, MP for Glastonbury and Somerton, cited statistics showing that Wessex Water was responsible for over 400,000 hours of sewage discharges in her constituency last year. She advocated for the replacement of the current water regulator with a dedicated clean water authority to enhance oversight and accountability.

Labour MP Dan Aldridge for Weston-Super-Mare also expressed support for long-term strategic measures to ensure safe water conditions for residents and RNLI volunteers engaged in water rescues.

The debate was concluded by Emma Hardy, the Parliamentary Under-Secretary for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, who described the sewage crisis as “a national disgrace.” Hardy attributed the problem to years of under-investment in water infrastructure and pledged systemic reforms. She referenced the Water (Special Measures) Act, which grants regulators enhanced powers including the ability to impose stricter penalties or imprisonment for violations. Praising the work of citizen scientists, she announced plans for significant investment, with £104 billion in private sector funding allocated over the next five years to upgrade infrastructure and reduce sewage spills. “We are stopping the sewage scandal and transforming the water industry from one of decline to one of opportunity,” Hardy said.

The concerns raised by MPs underscore widespread issues surrounding water quality, environmental protection, and public health in the South West, highlighting calls for tighter regulation, better infrastructure, and greater accountability from water companies to address the ongoing crisis affecting the nation’s rivers and waterways.

Source: Noah Wire Services