More than 100 people jump into the sea at Lee-on-the-Solent in protest against Southern Water sewage pollution
“It’s really offputting, the more you think about it.”
Protesters have called upon Southern Water to do more to prevent sewage from ending up in Solent waters.
In Lee-on-the-Solent yesterday morning (Saturday, May 16), Surfers Against Sewage organised a ‘paddle out’ protest against the water company, with more than 100 people gathering to make their feelings known. Many of them symbolically jumped into the water together - where they say sewage is often being dumped by Southern Water.
Southern Water says it is investing £8.5bn into improving infrastructure in the area, including £300m to reduce storm overflows. The Budds Farm wastewater treatment works is also being upgraded to increase capacity and provide more storage, as well as a new storm tank.
Protest organiser Michelle Williams said: “The protest went excellently, I reckon we had more than 100 people, probably more, who came out to sea with us and supported us.
“The sewage pollution in the Solent is not good at all; I get out there as much as I can, but have to check the Rivers and Seas Watch service app first. I like to swim two or three times a week, but you hear more stories about the sewage all the time.
“It’s really offputting, the more you think about it.
“Southern Water needs to put in better infrastructure, and that’s the bottom line. We just don’t want sewage in the sea whatsoever - you would think that in this day and age, that it’s something which could be easily achieved.”
The paddle out protest is one of a fair few that have taken place throughout the area, including one in Emsworth that was organised in partnership with Final Straw Foundation.
Dr Nick Mills, director for environment and innovation at Southern Water, said: “We understand the concerns behind these protests, and improving the health of our rivers and seas is a priority for us. We are investing heavily in nature-based solutions, innovative AI technology and infrastructure upgrades to help improve bathing water.
“Our £1.5bn clean rivers and seas plan has already helped prevent 700 storm overflows across our region and we and we will be going much further. Lasting progress depends on continued partnership with regulators, local authorities, landowners and communities.”