'Disgrace as Sewage Dumping continues in Medway' - say Lib Dems

The Liberal Democrats are demanding decisive action once and for all to stop sewage dumping in our local river and coastal areas around Medway.

This follows fresh data published by the Environment Agency in March that showed there were 146 sewage spills in Medway last year – totalling 242 continuous hours of untreated sewage flowing into our rivers and waterways.

John Castle, Medway Lib Dem campaigner and candidate for St Mary's Island said; “It is disgusting that the destruction of our environment continues on such a scale. We deserve to enjoy our natural areas. Instead they are being ruined.

Despite the overall amount of sewage spilled into Britain’s waterways falling during 2022, a disgraceful amount of waste yet again found its way into our local water systems. It’s time we got tough with water companies. But the Conservatives continue to let them get away with destroying our environment while at the same time raking in record profits.

Enough is enough. The Lib Dems are calling for urgent action to stop the sewage scandal now by introducing a sewage tax and a new independent regulator with powers to issue unlimited fines.

Medway Lib Dems are joining this fight to make sure our local river will be fresh and clean in the future.”

ENDS

Notes to Editors

Information from the Environment Agency on sewage overflows in Medway can be found here.

Interactive BBC map showing the extent of sewage overflows across in England in 2022 can be found here.

Information from Company House on the profits made by Southern Water in 2021 can be found here.

The Liberal Democrat’s Policy on Sewage and protecting water ways can be found here.