Bathing Water announcement: Half-baked which does not ban sewage in swimming spots
EMBARGO: Immediate Release
Responding to the government announcing more designated bathing water locations, Liberal Democrat Environment spokesperson Tim Farron MP said:
“Conservative Ministers have finally buckled to Liberal Democrat demands for more bathing water sites, but the grim truth is water firms have dumped over 400,000 hours of sewage into swimming spots since 2020.
“The government has yet again been dragged kicking and screaming to take action on water quality.
“However, this is yet another half baked announcement, which does not ban water firms from dumping sewage into bathing water areas.
“This can’t be another PR trick by the Conservative party on water quality. Right now swimmers are getting sick from sewage being piled into bathing water sites.”
ENDS
Notes to Editor:
Analysis of Environment Agency data by the Liberal Democrats
England | ||
Dumps affecting bathing waters | ||
Total - 2020, 2021 & 2022 | ||
Water company | Spills | Hours |
Anglian Water | 2,615 | 3,976 |
Northumbrian Water | 5,517 | 23,262 |
Southern Water | 6,301 | 44,481 |
South West Water | 23,059 | 142,772 |
Thames Water | 283 | 3,831 |
United Utilities | 31,464 | 221,376 |
Wessex Water | 3,089 | 19,775 |
Yorkshire Water | 1,656 | 6,916 |
Total | 73,984 | 466,389 |
N.B. Severn Trent recorded no spills in Bathing Water in 2020, 2021 and 2022 | ||