“Scandalous” 21,000 sewage discharges in swimming water areas last year

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New analysis from the Liberal Democrats has revealed that there were 21,000 sewage discharges across the country in bathing water status areas last year. 

The analysis shows that 125,000 hours of sewage was discharged into hotspots across the country where people swim, and use the water for other leisure purposes. 

The hardest hit bathing area by sewage is the seaside tourist town of Morecambe. The swimming waters there were hit with a staggering 9,287 hours of sewage spills in the past year. 

United Utilities are the worst offender with 9 out of the top 10 longest sewage dumps, with areas such as Allonby, St Annes and New Brighon each being subjected to thousands of hours of discharge under their watch. 

Further South, the worst cases were found to be in Bognor Regis where Southern Water dumped sewage for a total of 1,579 hours, and in Lyme Regis, where South West Water was responsible for discharges up to 1,492 hours. 

Bathing water status is supposed to ensure the water is protected from pollution, however these new figures show that these areas are just as prone to sewage dumping as others subjecting swimmers to horrendous conditions. 

Commenting Liberal Democrat Environment Spokesperson Tim Farron said:

“It’s scandalous to see monster amounts of sewage dumps into waters our nation swims in, do these water company execs raking in millions know no shame? 

“This is supposed to be protected water, not be home to sewage hotspots. 

“These polluting firms are wreaking havoc on our nation's waters and it cannot be allowed to continue. Ministers need to get a grip of this. Their half-baked plans just let water companies get away with it. The public are sick and tired of empty Conservative rhetoric on the issue, they won’t stand for this any longer.”

ENDS

Notes to Editor:

Bathing Water - Longest Sewage Dumps (England) analysis can be found here.

First reported in the Sun on Sunday