A Suffolk council has written to the Environment Secretary Therese Coffey and a water company calling for urgent action to be taken to address sewage leaks.
East Suffolk Council has outlined five measures for Anglian Water to take, including action to reduce sewer discharges, improved water quality checks, equipping sites with functioning monitors, improved communications with the council and reductions in surface water run-off to prevent sewers from being overwhelmed.
The letter calls on Ms Coffey, who is also MP for Suffolk Coastal, to act to protect water systems and improve water quality in East Suffolk.
Data from marine conservation charity Surfers Against Sewage has revealed that during last summer’s bathing season from June 1 to September 15, Anglian Water discharged sewage into bathing waters for 235 hours.
A number of swimmers spoke to the EADT in November about how they had picked up diarrhoea, eye and ear infections after bathing in rivers in Suffolk and north Essex, including the Deben at Woodbridge and the Stour at Manningtree.
The letters to the secretary of state and Anglian Water calling for action came after East Suffolk councillors unanimously approved a motion calling for the sewage leaks and water quality issues to be addressed.
November’s motion noted that sewage pollution continued to flow untreated into local waterways and coastal waters.
In the letter, the council’s chair Jenny Ceresa said: “Full council collectively passed this motion to urgently engage with Anglian Water regarding their action on this issue which is causing significant concern to communities and businesses across our district, as you will be aware.
“A lack of private investment in Anglian Water’s infrastructure has the potential to affect delivery of new developments in the district, inhibiting economic growth. Plus of course, sewage entering the water system is a concern for all of us.”
In November, an Anglian Water spokesperson told the EADT that more than £200m was being invested to reduce storm spills.
She added the company’s Get River Positive pledges meant Anglian Water was committed to ensuring that storm overflows and sewage treatment works would not be the reason for unhealthy rivers by the end of the decade.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here