I am of course very disappointed at the number of alerts for pollution being discharged into the sea and agree that we need to see a drastic reduction, which is why I’m committed to tackling storm overflows and protecting public health and the environment from discharges. Indeed, I made cleaning up our waters one of my six priorities as part of my plan when campaigning during the election.
One of my first acts as MP was to ask for an urgent meeting with officials at Southern Water to open a dialogue as quickly as possible. Southern Water has released their 2024 plan for pollution reduction, which outlines their targets. I will be reviewing this plan, which I have linked below, and will not hesitate to refer them to a regulator if they do not deliver.
https://www.southernwater.co.uk/about-us/our-plans/pollution-incident-reduction-plan/
However, the Environment Agency has confirmed that actually the Pollution Risk Forecast (PRF) warnings relate to a much wider scope than just sewage discharges from water company storm overflows (CSOs), so even when there are no discharges from CSOs taking place there are still occasions when there is a risk of lower coastal water quality.
As I understand, these PRFs are based on a number of factors including rain, tide and wind, which can affect the levels of bacteria that get washed into the sea from the surrounding catchments. This includes run off from urban surface water drainage, agricultural land and discharges of higher than normally contaminated waters via rivers and streams. When these factors combine, the Environment Agency issue a pollution risk warning.
I think it is only fair that residents and visitors should be able to receive more up-to-date, real-time information as to what is actually happening. I will therefore be following up with both agencies to discuss how they can better inform everyone of the actual quality of our waters.
In the meantime, Southern Water have provided a tool which records whether the alerts sent out as a PRF were followed by a pollution incident or not. You can find this information by following the link here and selecting Bexhill as the bathing site.
Despite ongoing troubles, I think it is only fair to acknowledge that there has been progress by the last Government to address storm overflows. This includes the launching of the Storm Overflows Discharge Reduction Plan in August 2022, which set out stringent targets to protect people and the environment. This was backed up by up to £60 billion capital investment, representing the largest infrastructure programme in water company history. Legally binding through the Environment Act 2021, the plan prioritises storm overflows that could cause the most harm while balancing the impact on consumer bills.
Water companies have also been issued tightened permits for storm overflows to ensure they deliver the Storm Overflows Discharge Reduction Plan’s targets. Water companies must increase their network capacity and treat sewage before discharge, while massively reducing all discharges.
Earlier this year, the previous Government introduced a fast-tracked investment of £180m over 12 months, which is expected to prevent more than 8000 sewage spills polluting English waterways. The accelerated improvements, which will be delivered by April 2025, support the targets under the Storm Overflows Discharge Reduction Plan.
Following a consultation on strengthening fines for polluters, legislation was tabled to remove the limit of £250,000 that can be imposed for environmental offences, meaning penalties can be proportionate to the degree of environmental harm and culpability and can act as a powerful deterrent. This would offer regulators a quicker method of enforcement than lengthy criminal prosecutions, although I am aware that the most serious cases will continue to be taken through criminal proceedings. As set out in the Plan for Water, future environmental fines from water companies will be re-invested into a new Water Restoration Fund.
Looking ahead to the current Government’s plans, they have made promises to give regulators new powers to block the payment of bonuses to executives who pollute our waterways; as well as bring criminal charges against persistent law breakers in their election manifesto. I will be following this issue closely to see if Ministers stick to this manifesto commitment.
I will of course keep constituents updated on any developments made during meetings with Southern Water, and if the time comes where I make a formal challenge in referring them to the regulator.
I am also grateful for any future alerts on forecasts for pollution into the sea. My website will always carry the latest updates on what I am doing on this important issue.
Kind regards,
Kieran