Protestors in Whitstable call for Water Company Reform

This Saturday people from across Kent, Whitstable and the wider UK came together to protest local and national water pollution, calling for institutional reform and a referendum on private ownership.

The event consisted of speeches from Feargal Sharkey (Campaigner and President, Sewage Campaign Network), Ash Smith and Peter Hammond (Windrush Against Sewage Pollution and featured in Dirty Business), Lena Swedlow (Deputy director, Compass), and Chris Stanley.

Speaking to us, former Undertones singer and water campaigner said:

“It's extraordinary that these people are here, but that is back to that commitment. It says two things. These people are angry, they're fed up, they're not going to pull up with it anymore, and that's ultimately what drives and motivates them to be here on a Saturday morning.

"Right now there are two beaches in Kent alone that are in this week's top 10 beaches to avoid. Simply because the water quality is now being tested as poor, that means the water's full of Ecoli.

"Two beaches in Kent alone. That's a record I think that Kent probably is not very proud of and not even a conversation we should ever be having."

Residents also added that it was important for more people to be engaged with the issue, particularly due to the stress it was causing local businesses, those raising children and sea swimmers.

In response to the protest, a Defra spokesperson said:

“This government has taken action to clean up our rivers, lakes and seas for good. We’ve banned unfair bonuses, secured record levels of investment and introduced landmark legislation to hold water companies to account – including jail time for water company executives who obstruct investigations.

“Our long term reforms will mean there is a new, single regulator focused on preventing problems before they occur. We are ending the era of water company self-monitoring, introducing new MOT-style checks on water company assets and bringing in ‘no notice’ inspections to rebuild customer trust and protect the environment.”

An Environment Agency spokesperson responded:

“Dirty Business raises important issues about water quality, the actions of water companies and regulation of the sector over recent decades.

“Our priority is always to protect the environment for people and wildlife, and the organisation has undergone significant changes in recent years to better tackle water pollution. More people, better data and increased powers mean we will always act on intelligence of potential offences.

“This year we are on track to do 10,000 inspections of water company assets, rooting out wrongdoing and driving better performance. Since 2015 we have concluded 69 prosecutions against water and sewerage companies securing fines of over £153 million.”

And the Environment and Innovation Director of Southern Water, Dr Nick Mills, said:

“We’re committed to reducing storm overflows and are doing this through our ten year £1.5bn Clean Rivers and Seas Plan, which is already starting to make a difference.

“In Whitstable, we’re harnessing both AI and nature-based solutions, and we’re investing around £90m of improvements to Swalecliffe Wastewater Treatment Works. Combined, this will dramatically reduce storm overflows in the area.

“Our teams are also working to optimise our network in the town along with sealing sewers and separating surface water from roads, homes and businesses.”

A Southern Water spokesman said:

“As part of our £8.5 billion investment, we’re spending £1.5 billion to cut storm overflows. Just a year in, releases at Swalecliffe are down over 30 per cent and Tankerton is rated Excellent by the Environment Agency. We’re now using AI to unlock extra storm capacity in our sewers, alongside nature-based solutions.”

In response to our previous query about the two 'bad beaches' in Kent, Rob Butson, Southern Water’s Bathing Water Lead said:

“84 per cent of the designated bathing waters along our 700 miles of coastline are ‘excellent’ or ‘good’. But although Deal jumped from ‘poor’ to ‘good’ last year, Littlestone and Dymchurch remain below acceptable levels.

There are many causes of contamination to the sea – we have a duty to ensure our assets are performing properly but other factors also have an important role to play. Illegal connections where wastewater goes into surface drains instead of our sewers, road and agricultural run off, wildlife and human behaviour all have a role.

Working with the EA, the council and other stakeholders there is a huge focus on understanding what is causing high samples in this area. None of us will rest until the problems are identified and rectified.”

They have been asked for additional comment.