Extinction Rebellion Brighton activists have joined a nationwide action to demand the government and water companies clean up their act and stop the dumping of raw sewage in our rivers, waterways, and seas.
In the wind and rain a series of speakers discussed the pollution of our waterways including Caroline Lucas MP and Hanover and Elm Grove Councillor David Gibson.
Extinction Rebellion claims “Climate change is increasing the likelihood of heavy or intense rainfall across the UK, particularly in the winter months. This leads to higher risks of river and surface water flooding, which puts pressure on water and sewage systems. Due to lack of regulation and legislation, water companies are pumping pollution into waterways more often.”
Campaigners unveiled a satirical blue plaque on the seafront near the pier at midday on Saturday 14th January to highlight the government’s continued failure to tighten environmental regulations and stop profit-grabbing by water companies. The plaque reads: “The UK government voted to block a law requiring water companies to dump less raw sewage in our waters and seas – 20 October 21”.
Lloyd Russell-Moyle, MP for Brighton Kemptown, commented, “We are in a dirty water emergency. Insufficient action has been taken to tighten regulation to stop water companies using discharges as a day-to-day measure when they were introduced for only the most extreme circumstances. [I] would support higher fines for water companies alongside a proper plan to stop raw sewage discharges.”
Waterways are home to an incredible number of species and habitats, but clean water and biodiversity are under threat. Southern Water reportedly dumped sewage at beaches 493 times in eight days in November 2022, amounting to 3,700 hours of discharge. In 2021, the company received a £90 million fine after pleading guilty to illegal sewage discharges that polluted rivers and coastlines in the south of England.
Dirty water is also threatening local businesses. Adam Chinery from Brighton Watersports said, “We are on the sea every day, see dolphins and seals on a regular basis, and it upsets us to see what Southern Water are doing to their home. Financially it has also hit us with people cancelling bookings as they are concerned about the water quality. We saw a 70% drop in trade over the August bank holiday that was a direct result of surface water overflow release.”
