We must protect our waters
STEPHEN MORGAN, MP for Portsmouth South
DURING this crisis, many of us have spent the majority our time couped up indoors.
As we approach the summer, the weather gets warmer and restrictions ease, it has been a pleasure to see places like Langstone Harbour being used.
However, Langstone Harbour and its surrounding environment has been continually neglected by allowing excessive sewage to be released in and around it, despite repeated warnings from local groups and government.
While I have met with the Environment Agency, key community groups and concerned constituents, asked questions of government and recently written to the company to discuss this issue of growing concern, it is clear there are no targeted short or long-term plans to tackle the underlying cause: capacity issues at Budds Farm treatment facility.
However, my focus right now is what can be done to resolve issues surrounding treatment capacity in the short-term – something that the Environment Agency has raised with me. It is clear the situation is deteriorating, with reports just a few weeks ago of what was likely untreated sewage released into the harbour.
I was fortunate enough to spend some time with the Langstone Harbour Board on patrol out on the water recently, to learn more about how they keep people safe and its present challenges like sewage discharge and other threats to its natural beauty which is clear to see.
Despite being the worst performing water company in 2019, Southern Water has made some progress to reduce overall Combined Sewer Overflows (CSOs) in the region, with only 20 CSO discharge notifications in 2020 issued per 10,000 km of sewage network, compared to 174 in 2019.
However, more has to be done to address sewage pollution closer to home, including places like Langstone Harbour. Government and water companies must take urgent action to protect Langstone Harbour and its surrounding environment.
Constituents can rest assured this will continue to be one of my top priorities over the months ahead.