We all want to enjoy unpolluted seas and rivers. That’s why Brighton & Hove Green Party is calling for Southern Water to commit to reducing sewage dumps into our waters to zero.

When we pay our water bills, part of this charge contributes to the wastewater treatment process. This procedure prevents raw sewage from infecting our waterways and coastlines.

Fixated on shareholder profits, water companies are failing to invest in the infrastructure needed to ensure that all sewage is treated before release. Untreated sewage can cause serious health issues such as gastroenteritis; ear, nose and throat infections; and even hepatitis. Sewage also causes environmental damage - faecal matter has been found in our sealife.

Southern Water has the worst track record for sewage dumping. In July 2021, the company faced a record £90 million fine for illegally discharging 21 billion litres of raw sewage. A catalogue of harmful activity was unearthed in the most extensive investigation by the Environment Agency (EA) to date.

Between 2010-2015, Southern Water knowingly dumped untreated sewage on 10,741 occasions at 17 sites examined by the EA. 78% of these occurrences were illegal.

Southern Water is proposing to reduce sewage releases by 80% by 2030. That is not good enough.

Brighton & Hove Green Party is calling for a commitment to zero sewage in our waters.

Sign our petition today.

Communities must be supported through investment in measures to prevent flooding: such as wetlands, green roofs, or rain-water harvesting systems. Southern Water should provide the funding for these essential projects as part of their responsibility to manage and treat wastewater.

Thank you – together we can enjoy clean water.