A letter from Island MP Bob Seely is landing on the doorsteps of thousands of Cowes residents encouraging them to take up the offer of a free slow-drain water butt from Southern Water to help with the environment.
The water company had originally planned to offer the butts in eighteen streets in Cowes, but, following discussions with Island MP Bob Seely, has now agreed to extend the rollout to cover most of the town.
Mr Seely said:
“When I’ve been out delivering letters, residents have been telling me they are keen to have these installed.
“So, I asked Southern Water to expand the rollout to include more homes in Cowes and I am pleased they agreed.
"The more people that take up the offer of a slow-drain water butt, the greater the impact will be.”
Over the past few months, the water company has been installing the slow-drain water butts in Island gardens in a move to help prevent sewers from being overwhelmed during and after prolonged rainfall.
The change is being driven due to the Conservative Government’s Environment Act and because the Island will be an example of national best practice.
In the letter, Mr Seely said:
"As your Member of Parliament, I persuaded Southern Water to make the Isle of Wight an example of national best practice – this means prioritising the Island for funding and for new projects.
"Over £30 million – with more in the pipeline – has been committed, including: £13.5 million for Sandown Water Works, £2.5 million for Knighton, £5 million for Carisbrooke and £7 million for Cowes, Newport and Brading.
"By improving pumping stations, redesigning road drainage, replumbing parts of the system and providing slow-release butts, we are improving the water system and protecting the environment."
Last year, Southern Water began trialling the new water butts in Havenstreet.
Before the trial, the local storm overflow outfall released up to 30 times a year.
However, following the trial, the water company said it saw a 70% reduction in releases. The company has now installed over 1500 water butts, each holding 200 litres.
Southern Water say the installation of the water butts in Cowes will take a number of months to complete. If residents are out when the engineer arrives, they will receive a card through their door advising them of what to do.
Southern Water has been targeting areas where it says the water butts will have the biggest impact which so far has included Havenstreet, Gurnard, Fishbourne, Wootton, East Cowes and now Cowes.
Mr Seely, a keen dipper himself, concluded:
“As a swimmer, I want to see cleaner rivers, beaches and seas.
"According to the Environment Agency, all of our 15 monitored beaches on the Island are rated good or excellent.
"On the Island we have one of Britain’s best schemes to do just that. The water butts are a practical way of us all helping. The more of us that say yes, the better.”
Essential Tree Safety Works To Begin At Los Altos Park
Newport War Memorial Cleaned
Isle Of Wight Council Chairman Calls On Islanders To Support Air Ambulance Charity
Freshwater Residents Lash Out At Birch Close Development Yellow Line Delay
County Hall 'Critical' Meeting To Take Place In Newport Next Week
First Island School Dedicated To Children With Social, Emotional And Mental Health Needs Opens In East Cowes
Progress Being Made On Retail And Football Park Plans
Shanklin Town Council Meeting To Address "Bay Plan" Proposal To Join Forces With Sandown And Lake
Opposition To Six Isle Of Wight Primary School Closures Stepped Up
Porsche 911 Challenge Fundraiser Heading To Island Next Week As Couple Visit All 238 RNLI Stations
Diocese Responds To Proposals To Close Island Schools
Newport's Summerfields Receives Ofsted Improvement Boost
CCTV Inspection Reveals Binstead Culvert Clear And Running Properly
Isle Of Wight Councillors Face Grilling Over Proposed School Closures
Opposition To Six Isle Of Wight Primary School Closures Stepped Up Across Island
Medical Chiefs Ask For Support As Isle Of Wight's Emergency Care Reaching 'Peak' Levels
Planet Aware Asks Island Smokers To Bin Their Butt To Help Marine Environment
Can-Do Attitude: Acclaim And Red Funnel Team Up To Donate Hundreds Of Cans To Local Foodbank
Isle Of Wight Pharmacy Crisis Could Leads To 'Lights Off' Movement This Month
Isle Of Wight Radio's 2024 Child Of Wight Heroes Revealed
