A regular column to update readers on the damaging effects of our current management of water in Hastings, surrounding area (and nationally) and what people are doing about it. If you have any information, please contact community@hastingsindependentpress.co.uk marked Clean Water Watch.   

Save Old Roar Gill (SORG) 

After SORG contacted Hastings Borough Council (HBC) about a polluted stream near the bottom of Mulberry Walk, the council followed up with Southern Water (SW), who replied: “We have investigated this and have found multiple misconnections in homes in Folkington Gardens and Lullington Gardens.” This is written confirmation of SORG’s contention that the Gill is being polluted by sewage and is “a step closer to finding out exactly what is going on”. Hopefully action will follow.

Clean Water Action Group (CWAG)

CWAG volunteers are gearing up for a new period of testing to monitor water quality. Test results earlier this year (Feb-May) and a recent one-off revealed extremely high E-Coli results at Combe Haven outflow on Bulverhythe beach (4400cfu/100ml: good bathing water quality <500cfu/100ml). This is a real health concern with so many families swimming in the water through the heatwave, and results have been reported to SW and the Environment Agency (EA). A full report on their activities in the past year will be published shortly. Follow @cleanwateractgp for updates.

With SW now conducting year-round testing in Brighton, CWAG are writing to request the same in the Hastings area and will also be launching a crowdfunder to cover the expense of their independent year-round testing as ‘citizen scientists’ (around £80 per test inc p&p). 

An article in the Sunday Observer on 12 August about pollution in the river Wye underlines the “vital difference” made by citizen scientists. Talking about the accumulation of evidence, one local campaigner says: “We want it to reach a tipping point so it just can’t be ignored.” An article in The Guardian, 13 September, confirms this importance by reporting the failure of the EA to “regularly audit water companies to check they are telling the truth about pollution and illegal sewage dumping in England”.

Stop press! Local businesses becoming involved. Among these @haul_out, a benefit gig with DJs and SHE Choir on Saturday 23 September at Oscar’s on the Square, 8.00pm-2.00am – proceeds going towards the testing programme.

Local campaigns

We previously mentioned the 7 September meeting at Eastbourne Town Hall to discuss strategies in public protesting and local government involvement to curb SW’s policy of sewage dumping. One speaker, Julie Bygraves, talked about the Regulated Asset Base (RAB) model used by water authorities and how it encourages them to acquire a ‘steaming pile of debt’ using their regulated assets as collateral. Read Julie’s article at sussexbylines.co.uk/news/environment/money=down-the-drain.

Apparently, it was also a great opportunity for networking, particularly highlighting the role played by CWAG locally: an opportunity to share information and create strength in numbers. 

Hasting Borough Council

We have been unable to obtain any updates in time for this edition. In the meantime, to report problems with SW you can use this link: tinyurl.com/myfu7bb3

News from the media

The BBC has published a very informative article on illegal sewage dumping in dry weather with clear explanations, diagrams, maps and further links. Much of the data relates to SW.

bbc.com/news/science-environment-66670132

West England Bylines is compiling a useful catalogue of information related to pollution of our rivers and beaches by water companies in England and Wales. englandbylines.co.uk/features/sewage-watch-focus.

A recent article quoted from the Times indicates that people power is growing: “Polling of 6,000 adults by Survation… found that discharges into rivers and seas will affect how more than 56 % of people vote.”

Another, via a tweet from Fergal Sharkey, highlights a recent speech in parliament in which Conservative MP, Ian Liddell-Grainger, addressed Penny Mordaunt, as Leader of the House, saying: “She will be shocked to learn that Britain’s worst water company has now resorted to thuggery and strong-arm tactics to silence parliamentarians and the press.” 

Another indication that people power is beginning to bite.

A significant win: The BBC reports that: “The House of Lords has blocked the UK government’s plan to relax restrictions on water pollution to encourage housebuilding in England.” 

CORRECTION

In the last Clean Water Watch we wrote that the Consumer Council for Water (CCW) had confirmed in writing to the Boycott Water Bills website that action to boycott payment of sewage bills was ‘appropriate’. What in fact the letter confirmed was, according to the Water Services Regulation Authority (OFWAT), water companies cannot chase for money while a customer is in dispute with them. For the full contents of the letter go to www.boycottwaterbills.com/faqs (Q5).