The Island's MP Bob Seely has had a meeting with Southern Water to 'see what their plans are for the future'.
Southern Water has recently been fined £90million by the Government for illegally discharging sewage into rivers and coastal waters throughout the southeast, as previously reported by Isle of Wight Radio.
Island Councillors Cllr Jonathan Bacon, Cllr Debbie Andre, Cllr Chris Jarman and Cllr Richard Quigley joined Mr Seely in meeting with the Chief Executive and managers from Southern Water.
As a result of the meeting, Southern Water pledge to work with the Council and MP to establish best practices on the Island for both reducing sewage emissions and making the best use of water. This includes the aim of making the Island a model of sustainable usage.
My meeting with @SouthernWater in Sandown today to hear about their plans for the future.
— Bob Seely MP (@IoWBobSeely) August 20, 2021
We need clean water at our beaches and we need to take better care of the environment.
Thank you to all Islanders that have contacted me about pollution across the Island. #IOW #iownews pic.twitter.com/2MG6aXrob6
Mr Seely said:
“We need clean water around our beaches and we need to take better care of the environment. We need to move to a future where, on principle, we do not pump any raw sewage into the seas around the Isle of Wight. We also need to protect the environment.
“Water quality is a complex issue. Road and agricultural run-off account for some of the nasty stuff that gets into the sea around the Island, so it is not just about the water firms. However, Southern Water needs to step up to improve their own standards and to plan for the future. The Government is also looking at options to reduce raw sewage discharge and to increase investment into the water supply system.
“I am grateful to Southern Water for talking with Councillors and myself today. I would also like to thank all those Islanders that have contacted me about pollution in the West Wight, Gurnard, East Cowes, Seaview, the Bay Area, and other areas.
“If any individual parish or town Councils want to talk directly to Southern Water, please let me know and I will pass on details to Southern Water."