A Cornwall based environmental charity says it has exposed the extent of anger at polluting water companies, as the charity prepares to mobilise public in first ever mass paddle-out protest later this month.
Surfers Against Sewage (SAS) says new data from a survey it has carried out has revealed the extent of public distrust in South West Water amid ongoing outrage at the levels of pollution occurring in South West waterways.
The data is released one week after South West Water was hit with a record fine of £2.15m after admitting six offences of illegal discharge activities and seven offences of contravening environmental permit conditions.
In the survey taken by the charity, The UK Government and regulators have also come under fire, with nearly seven in ten (68%) saying the UK Government should be doing more to tackle sewage pollution.
An even bigger proportion (83%) think water company regulators need to do more to make sure water companies reduce sewage pollution.
SAS are seeking to convert public outrage into action by staging a mass paddle-out protest against sewage pollution, featuring simultaneous events at beaches and rivers across the UK on Saturday May 20, including Gyllyngvase Beach in Falmouth the scene of protests against pollution last year.
The flagship protest in Brighton will feature an appearance by ‘The Floater’, a surfboard developed by Niall Jones - a Cornwall-based product designer and owner of Benthos Surf - using recycled materials and raw sewage collected from UK beaches.
Josh Harris, Head of Communications at Surfers Against Sewage, said: “Last year water companies paid out a combined £1 billion to their shareholders while dumping sewage into UK waterways almost 400,000 times.
“It’s time to put an end to this shameless profiteering. Water companies should not be allowed to profit from pollution, and our data shows that the public agree, with a huge majority calling for an end to industry fat cats pocketing bonuses whilst failing to meet minimum environmental standards.
“And it’s not just the water companies that need to clean up their act. The Government and regulators should be enforcing high standards and holding water companies to account, but it’s clear to the public that they’re not doing enough. We’ve suffered decades of broken sewers because of our broken system, and now the public have had enough and are demanding an to end this sewage scandal.”
At least 12 protests will take place across the UK on May 20, at key locations covering each water company catchment. Swimmers, paddlers, surfers, canoers, kayakers, paddle-boarders, windsurfers and anyone who cares about the health of their local blue spaces will take to the water, beach or riverbank to make their demands heard. SAS are also urging the public to sign their 'Dirty Money' petition, which demands an end to water companies profiting from pollution.
READ NEXT:
Stunning waterfront house on market for first time in 30 years starting at £2m
South West Water says it will be upgrading the sewage infrastructure at points around the River Fal to improve water quality for shellfish and bathing waters.
The company says the total investment in its four priority areas of Falmouth, Sidmouth, the River Camel and the Rive Axe, will be around £1.6bn with work beginning in the next two financial years, from 2023 to 2025.
South West Water’s proposed investments total c£130 million, the second highest of all water companies in the country.
Within this, South West Water’s biggest investment within this programme is focussed on accelerating delivery on storm overflows. Between Falmouth and Sidmouth, the total project cost is £70 million, with £25 million being spent in the next two years.
Their total investment for the Falmouth area includes £13.2 million by 2025, with a total of £40 million by 2030.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here