Sewage crisis and the role of water companies

Tackling this issue was a major part of my campaign during the General Election, and it remains one of my top priorities as your MP. Since taking office, I’ve worked to ensure the voices of my constituents are heard at every level. I’ve attended multiple roundtable events with the Minister for Water, Emma Hardy MP, and become an active member of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Water. I’ve also had several meetings with the Chief Executive of Southern Water to hold the company to account directly.
 
To gain a better understanding of how oversight operates in practice, I recently spent a day with the Environment Agency. I’ve also spent time with the Chichester Harbour Conservancy, RSPB Medmerry, and the West Sussex Rivers Trust to listen to local environmental groups and see first-hand the issues our region is facing.
 
I recently wrote about the deterioration of our harbour and the chemicals being detected in our waters. A recent study revealed 105 different chemicals in seawater, seaweed and shellfish samples, with alarming spikes in concentration following sewage discharges. You can read my article here: Political opinion with Jess Brown-Fuller: Protecting our harbour for generations to come.
 
I have also tabled an amendment to the Planning and Infrastructure Bill in my name to make national landscapes statutory consultees, to protect our precious harbour and ensure it can be enjoyed for generations to come.
 
Earlier this month, I was also incredibly inspired to join the pupils of Birdham Primary School in their peaceful protest against sewage pollution in the city centre. Their posters and surfboards carried a clear and compelling message. I’ve also received letters from children at Oakwood School about protecting marine life – their sense of justice and environmental responsibility is inspiring.
 
While I continue to push for stronger local accountability, the biggest changes must come from Government legislation and the way water companies are regulated. That’s why the Liberal Democrats used our second Opposition Day debate in this Parliament to raise the persistent scandal of raw sewage dumping. You can read more about the debate here
 
The Water (Special Measures) Bill has now become law and while the Bill introduces a statutory requirement for water companies to publish Pollution Incident Reduction Plans, it falls far short of the root-and-branch reform that is urgently needed.
 
Southern Water themselves admitted that they are already creating such plans and reports – meaning this legislation will not significantly change their operations. Meanwhile, customers across our region are facing bill increases, adding insult to injury.
 
Across Chichester, we witnessed 990 sewage spills in 2023 alone, lasting over 17,000 hours. That is simply unacceptable.
 
My Liberal Democrat colleagues tabled multiple amendments at every stage of the Bill to ensure it delivered real reform. We called for the installation of volume flow meters to better monitor spills, legally binding pollution reduction targets, and the creation of a new Clean Water Authority, replacing OFWAT and the Environment Agency, with real enforcement powers. Every single one of these amendments was rejected by the Labour Government, and by the Conservatives.
 
My greatest concern with this Bill is that it does not go far enough. By establishing a Water Commission rather than enforcing real reform, the Government has again kicked the can down the road.
 
Millions of people across the country and especially here in Chichester, care deeply about our rivers, harbours, and coastlines. I want to thank all the campaigners, citizen scientists, and environmental advocates who have fought tirelessly for clean water and environmental justice. Please rest assured that I will continue to fight for stronger protections, tougher regulation, and long-term solutions.