BedsGovet is quietly optimistic that the new Water Bill is being pushed through Parliament with a second reading on the 9 October, is taking a step in the right direction.
The Bill will give regulators new powers to make tough decisions and move more quickly to stop water companies from polluting and failing customers through their excessive sewage dumping.
The new legislation will ban the payment of bonuses to the highly paid water executives and bring criminal charges against those executives breaking the law.
However, does the Bill go far enough? Professor McGaughey of Kings College London highlights some of the issues the proposed Bill will not impact:
- The Environment Agency (EA) may gain more powers, but it’s funding is down 1/3rd compared to 2010, which may hinder its enforcement capabilities.
- It will cost billpayers £12.5 billion in the next Parliament if dividends are continued to be paid to company shareholders, which include many international banks.
- As a country, we would have 40% more investment if we held companies publicly, instead of letting foreign governments and banks effectively tax the British public for our own water. (Based on historical capital expenditure, about £191bn).
The Bill doesn’t address the failing water companies, which could be put into special measures (much like a failing school). Especially when those companies are still raising prices, whilst taking money out of the water system for dividends and pay rises.
One issue is the definition of ‘Illegal pollution”, the EA says ‘exceptional’ means sewage can be dumped when capacity is reached at a sewage works. This can amount to 100s of times a year. Ofwat says 20 times a year.
Over the last 13 months, 82% of the water samples taken from downstream of Bedford’s CSO by BedsGovet have failed water quality tests for safe bathing due to E.coli levels.
“I hope the new Bill will be stringent and enable action to be taken more quickly and decisively for those in breach,” aays Alan Horn, Chair of BedsGovet.
Adding, “It’s appalling that every water company is under criminal investigation by Ofwat for illegal sewage ‘spills’, into our rivers, lakes and seas but that there have been no prosecutions, only fines so far”.
BedsGovet continues to increase its water quality monitoring and hopes to assess any impact of the Water Bill. Two additional new sondes (real-time sensors) will be deployed imminently.
Additional testing for E.coli is to be funded by Surfers Against Sewage.
This will supplement the monthly programme already being sponsored by Wells&Co to provide weekly testing all year round at The Embankment in Bedford and during bathing season 15 May-end of September 2025 in Great Barford and Felmersham.
If you want to find out more about BedsGovet head to our Facebook page.
Help clean the Bedford Ouse on Sunday, 22 September. BedsGovet is supporting Surfers Against Sewage and meeting at the Butterfly Bridge on Bedford’s Embankment at 2pm to do an informal litter pick, all are welcome.
By Inga Wells
BedsGovet
The Bedford Independent is proud to support BedsGOVET in their vital work to monitor water quality in the River Great Ouse and provide them with space for a column as part of their Don’t Lose the Ouse campaign.
