Stop Sewage Dumping

Raw sewage being dumped by water companies into our rivers and coastal areas continues to be a national disgrace - as is our failing water supply system which frequently leaves Mid Sussex residents with cuts to their water supply.

In the last year over 450,000 sewage spills were counted in English and Welsh waters. That's almost 3.5 million hours of sewage dumping - an increase on the previous year.

In January 2023 Conservative MPs voted to allow sewage dumping to continue at current levels for another 15 years!

The Conservatives are not prepared to tackle this issue. We need to send them a message.

Water companies in England made profits of over £2.8bn last year, but have failed to invest enough in new pipes, resulting in thousands of Mid Sussex residents having no water in the week before Christmas.

Things need to change

The Lib Dems have been leading the way since 2021, calling for:

• A sewage tax on water companies to force them to re-invest profits to improve the sewage network and fix leaks.
• OFWAT (the water regulator) to be abolished and replaced with an independent regulator with real powers to stop sewage discharges and issue unlimited fines.

Locally, we will continue to raise issues around water supply and adequate drainage especially for new house building.
Urgent action is needed to protect our rivers and the sea, and make water companies invest their profits in new infrastructure for Mid Sussex.