Lib Dems introduce Bill for mandatory targets on sewage discharges

The Liberal Democrats last week introduced a Bill targeting faster action on sewage discharges.

Tim Farron, environment spokesperson and MP for Westmorland and Lonsdale, presented a Bill on Tuesday which seeks to:

• provide for mandatory targets and timescales for the ending of sewage discharges into waterways and coastal areas;

• give Ofwat the power to monitor and enforce compliance with those targets and timescales;

• require water companies to publish quarterly reports on the impact of sewage discharges on the natural environment, animal welfare and human health; and

• require water company boards to include at least one representative of an environmental group.

Farron linked the action to the Liberal Democrats’ wider recent narrative on executive pay and bonuses. He said: “Our lakes and rivers are our natural treasures, yet water company bosses are degrading those natural treasures to keep a hold of their own treasure. Last year, the water companies made profits of £2.7 billion and paid out £27 million in bonuses. Their chief executives earn seven-figure sums, yet they are free by law to preside over enormous numbers of dangerous discharges that damage our environment and our wildlife, and are a threat to human life, too. This Bill aims to stop the water companies putting their personal treasure ahead of our natural treasure.”

The Bill will be read a Second time on 6 May.

• Thousands of protestors gathered across the country at the weekend in a day of action to #EndSewagePollution organised by Surfers Against Sewage. There were 12 separate protests, one for each water and sewerage company in England and Wales, plus Scottish Water and Northern Ireland Water.