People power is making waves but it’s just a start
IT’S great to see people power making an impact. Without the current heightened debate about sewage in our rivers and coastal waters, it is unlikely water companies would have apologised for the mishandling of the sewage overflow system or increased their spending to start tackling the problem.
The fact the companies have insisted everybody will eventually have to pay for this work through their bills is very worrying.
We need to keep the pressure on if we are going to keep them on track to zero discharge.
Are the companies trying to erode popular support for future campaigns by giving an unspoken warning to us all that if we make a fuss we will end up paying higher bills?
The promised “new” money is £7bn but in the recent parliamentary debate about sewage dumping the Conservatives assured us “the private sector will provide the largest water infrastructure programme in history – an expected £56bn investment.” Is the £7m in addition to that?
Is it really such a significant sum when compared to the £72bn handed out in dividends?
So, we have a step in the right direction but perhaps it’s not a time for undue congratulations except to all those involved in bringing the problem to our attention and building a groundswell of opinion which eventually made the powers-that-be take notice.
Highlighting problems and fuelling discussion is essential to people power.
We are facing any number of “water problems” from flooding to drought, from micro plastics to sewage. How will we balance
the needs of agriculture with personal water consumption in a future when climate change will make sudden weather extremes far more common?
You can join in the conversation at the ‘Deep Dive into Water’ on the Sunday afternoon of What a Wonderful World Festival at Alnwick Playhouse from June 30July 2. Details from www.whataww.org
The discussion will detail some of the solutions which could provide safe and secure water supplies for all our needs.
These could range from upgrading water treatment to cross-catchment working and knowledgesharing, from new approaches to regenerative farming to the potential for wetlands to reduce flooding and store carbon and even how reintroducing beavers can manage upstream water retention and reduce flood risks to our towns.
However, our speakers will doubtless also underline the need for significant change in the public mind-set, political will and investment priorities if we are to have any chance of achieving secure, clean water in the future.
Who knows, you may even conclude some of us may need to pay a bit more for our water to ensure clean water for all.
■ ALISTAIR Anderson is cofounder of What a Wonderful World Festival – a climate emergency arts festival, which returns for a second year from June 30-July 2. https://whataww.org.