Clean Water Watch
A regular column to update readers on the damaging effects of our current management of water in Hastings and the surrounding area and what people are doing to improve the current disastrous situation. There will also be some reference to developments in relevant national campaigns. If you have any updates, please contact [email protected] marked Clean Water Watch.
Old Roar Gill
Following the cancellation of the third meeting of the campaign group on Friday 18 August, Cllr Andy Batsford organised a clean-up on Friday 25 August: “Two hours of clearing out wood and debris to help [keep] the Old Roar Gill flowing.” There was some concern regarding safety as well as advice from a Natural Flood Management officer who said that work should be carried out by professionals, and that some ‘obstruction’ was required for flood management.
Local news
Article in Sussex News: Bexhill beach branded a ‘no-go’ area following discovery of sewage waste. According to a Southern Water spokesperson “Our teams discovered that debris found by a customer was located next to a private outfall.” But no word about who was responsible or how it could be prevented. The spokesperson also said that Southern Water “take cleanliness of beaches very seriously” but failed to show how, apart from quoting investment figures.
Boycott water bills campaigns
A growing movement around the country to stop payment for the disposal of sewage until demands for improvements met. Isolated grassroots movements are springing up in many parts of the country, but with no central coordination. Hastings boycott has linked with Whitstable and you can find all you need to know about boycotting water bills as well as links to other campaigns on their website boycottwaterbills.com.
Update! There is some uncertainty in the boycott movement as it is creating legal precedent. However, having had conflicting advice from the Consumer Council for Water (CCW), about the legality of boycotts, they have now clarified in writing to Boycott Water Bills that such action is appropriate.
Local campaigns
A meeting was held 7 September at Eastbourne Town Hall to discuss strategies in public protesting and local government involvement to bring about change in Southern Water’s policy of sewage dumping. The meeting was called by, amongst others, Cllr James Murray lead for climate change and sustainability. Check Friends of Seaford Bay Facebook page for updates.
Hasting Borough Council
The council has confirmed that it has no statutory powers to regulate Southern Water, the responsibility of the Environment Agency. However, it acknowledges it does have responsibility for parts of the town in public ownership that have been affected by the inaction of Southern Water such as Alexandra Park. It has pledged to do all it can to hold Southern Water to account for any failures to carry out its duty to safely dispose of sewage using information and data that enables them to do so, working with the Environment Agency where appropriate. It will also collaborate with any community organisations who are working to that end. However, the current state of the council finances means that there is no money available to fund any such organisations. To report problems with Southern Water you can use this link: tinyurl.com/myfu7bb3
National Press
The government plans to let developers further pollute our rivers. Search ‘Guardian + England’s rivers at risk as Michael Gove rips up rules on new housing’ for information. To sign the 38 Degrees petition, search: ‘Stop property developers polluting our rivers’.
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