Eastleigh MP says state of waterways is "damning indictment"
She says her constituents are angry with the state of their environment
The Eastleigh MP has called the state of British waterways a "damning indictment".
It comes as the Liberal Democrats poll found nearly half of Brits would never swim in the sea during summer months.
Liz Jarvis, Liberal Democrat MP for Eastleigh, says water companies need to be held accountable for 'sewage dumping'.
She said: "A new poll that was commissioned by the Lib Dems has found that almost half of Brits wouldn't swim in the sea because they're so worried about pollution.
"I think that's a really damning indictment of the state of our waterways and the fact that this has been allowed to happen.
"It's happening again under this government and they're just not taking the action that they should be.
"I am very supportive of any measures that they can take and they will take, but I think they've got to really get a regulator with teeth.
"It's great that they're abolishing Ofwat because this is something that the Lib Dems have been calling for for some time.
"But what we want to see is a real independent regulator with teeth who can really hold the water companies to account.
"I feel very strongly that they're just not being firm enough on this and we absolutely need to see more action from the government on this."
The Liberal Democrat's poll, undertaken by Savanta, found that 44% of Brits would never swim in the sea during the summer.
Southern Water has also applied for a Drought Order to alter its licence on the River Test to allow them to continue to abstract water from the river.
Ms Jarvis said this is angering her constituents.
She added: "It's about the damage to the ecology of the river and you have to remember that we are so lucky in our area because we have two incredibly precious chalk streams, which is the Itchen and the Test.
"There are only about 200 chalk streams in the world and they should be absolutely protected and taken care of.
"So when you hear that Southern Water has applied to take more out of the Test, you know, I completely understand why my constituents and so many other people are so angry about this."
Southern Water have replied to Ms Jarvis.
A spokesperson in a statement said: "“There are many factors which have an impact of water quality in our rivers and seas, including highways, industrial and farming run-off, private wastewater pipes illegally connected to surface water drains, wildlife and beach and water users - beyond the use of storm overflows.
"We have a ÂŁ1.5 billion plan to cut these releases, but it is crucial that we work with all partners to take a truly holistic approach to protecting and enhancing our waterways."
The government's Department for Environment, Food, and Rural Affairs have also replied.
A spokesperson in a statement said: "“The government has put down the building blocks to clean up our rivers, lakes and seas.
“We are rebuilding the water network through one of the largest infrastructure projects in this country’s history with a record £104 billion investment to upgrade crumbling pipes and halve sewage spills by 2030.
“We will also create a new, powerful regulator responsible for the entire water sector – abolishing Ofwat and bringing together the water functions from four different regulators into one.”
They say a White Paper setting out further detail will be published this Autumn, forming the basis of a new Water Bill.