MPs from across Sussex met with Southern Water and regulators, environmental and financial, to discuss urgent concerns regarding ongoing storm overflow and unacceptable levels of untreated discharge into our water courses and bathing areas.
We all understand that 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 and swim safely.
It is not enough to quote what has been done or to list difficulties, but rather, it is necessary to overcome the problems and do what needs to be done.
Everyone in a community suffers when unacceptable waste is found along the beach and when sensitive river environments are poisoned by untreated discharges from main drains.
We expect water quality to improve as our systems become more efficient and effective and we recognise the improvements to date.
Collaboration between Southern Water, the Environment Agency and our local and national government is critical to making the difference.
There must be further progress to compound these improvements.
