We all understand how much the quality of our bathing water matters to our local communities. Our seaside economy relies significantly on our high-quality beaches and bathing waters. Residents must be able to enjoy our beaches peacefully and safely.
There needs to be a realistic way forward for water treatment companies to address this serious issue. Sewage entering our watercourses is wrong. We expect Southern Water to do better.
In recent weeks I have been in close communication with Southern Water and the Environment Agency with extreme concern for the quality of our bathing waters.
Most recently, I co-signed a letter to Southern Water and the Environment Agency alongside MPs from across Sussex, calling for an urgent meeting with both organisations. A copy of the letter is below.
I have also written directly to the leadership of Southern Water demanding a further explanation of the recent apparent build-up of toxic-smelling silt around the outlet pipe on Worthing Beach as well as requesting a comprehensive plan on how the company will tackle and eliminate the release of raw sewage through storm overflows.
I commit to raising this further with Parliamentary Colleagues when we return after recess.
We should expect water quality to be on a continued and sustained path to improvement as our systems become more efficient and effective. There must be progress.
