Water company says sorry for missing another key meeting
Southern Water has apologised for missing another key meeting about water quality and sewage being dumped in waterways in Hampshire.
Councillors at the
River Hamble Harbour Management Committee said they were disappointed at the water company’s lack of communication and organisation as it missed a second meeting.
The meeting was due to discuss discharges and water quality in the Hamble waters, with analysis by the website Top of the Poops showing that in 2022 the Solent was polluted by sewage 1,013 times, lasting 8,662 hours, and the River Hamble 57 times, lasting 357 hours.
At the committee meeting, Southern Water was expected to make a presentation about the water quality of waterways, but the authority’s marine director Jason Scott said the water company cancelled the invitation.
Mr Scott said: “This is something members of this committee took very seriously. We had invited Southern Water to come along and give us a presentation after this meeting. Just before Christmas, they informed us that they were unable to attend. One week ago, they informed me that my point of contact with Southern Water would no longer be available due to the emerging activity with other businesses.
“I make it clear that this was the second time a delay was put in, and it would be rather well relevant if they wanted to do it to come along and talk to the committee. So I’ve expressed my disappointment and say that June 14, the next committee meeting, would be a better way to talk about the water quality in the river and Solent waters that might require some focus. So I’m pressing for a meeting on June 14.”
Councillors were disappointed that, for the second time, the water company left them waiting.
Southern Water said that due to “unforeseen circumstances”, representatives were unable to attend. A spokesperson said: “We’re very sorry that due to unforeseen circumstances that we were unable to attend the River Hamble Harbour Authority meeting. We are keen to attend future meetings and talk about our plans to reduce storm overflows and answer questions.”