The Liberal Democrats are calling for water sector regulator Ofwat to be replaced by a “tough new independent regulator” following ongoing widespread criticism of sewage discharges into Britain’s rivers.
A statement issued by the political party says Ofwat should be abolished and replaced with “a tough new independent regulator with real powers” to protect beaches and rivers from sewage dumps.
Describing “the sheer quantity of raw sewage being dumped into Britain’s rivers and coastal areas” as a scandal and a disgrace, the Liberal Democrats say it is “time for the Government to stop ignoring the sewage scandal.”
In a stinging attack on the water companies, the statement says that in the last two years, across England and Wales, there have been almost a million sewage discharges, lasting more than 7 million hours in total. It also points out that top water company executives took home £51 million in remuneration, including more than £30 million in bonuses.
Conservative MPs are also in the line of fire, accused by the Liberal Democrats of having “utterly failed to stand up for their constituents and put a stop to this.”
“They have ignored the Liberal Democrat calls for a sewage tax and a ban on bonuses for the bosses responsible”, the statement says, adding:
“They even voted against tougher action on sewage dumping, and the Government plans to let it continue until 2050.”
Ofwat - “the powerless accomplice in the Conservatives’ environmental crimes”
According to the Liberal Democrats, Ofwat has become “the powerless accomplice in the Conservatives’ environmental crimes.”
The water sector regulator has given six of the eleven water companies a “passing grade on pollution, even as they continue pouring sewage into our rivers.”
In addition, the statement says that Ofwat has also labelled three companies as “top performers”, even though they are responsible for more than 2.6 million hours of sewage dumps in the last two years.
The Liberal Democrats say under their proposal, a new independent regulator would force water companies to “clean up the mess they’re making by investing their profits in fixing our sewage system” and reducing leaks.
It would also have the power to hand out unlimited fines and, if necessary, to prosecute companies who fail to meet these legal duties.
“Everyone should be able to enjoy the wonderful natural beauties our country has to offer, with open green spaces and blue rivers. But the Conservatives are neglecting our natural environment and letting water companies get away with pouring millions of tonnes of sewage into our rivers.
“It’s time for the Government to stop ignoring the sewage scandal and start taking real action to clean up our rivers.”
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