MP backs action against polluting water company

CONSERVATIVE MP Anthony Mangnall has hit back after protesters turned out in Totnes at the weekend to demonstrate over raw sewage being discharged into the River Dart.

They say the Totnes and South Devon MP was among Conservatives whose vote in the Commons last year gave South West Water carte blanche to allow raw sewage to pour into the river, where a number of people have reported falling ill.

The group, some in swimming gear and holding toilet rolls, gathered outside the Conservative Club in Totnes on Saturday to express their fury over raw sewage being discharged into the Dart. They unveiled a blue plaque to Mr Mangnall, commemorating his vote, which protesters said went against requiring improved sewerage systems and a reduction in the harm caused by untreated sewage discharges.

Mr Mangnall has since said that the protesters had got it all wrong. He said that claiming Conservative MPs, including himself, voted to allow raw sewage to be dumped into our waterways was “simply not true”.

Mr Mangnall was among 265 MPs who voted for a Bill in October last year that failed to ensure that water companies had a “duty” not to discharge untreated sewage into waterways from storm pipes. The River Dart, which runs through his constituency, is one of the most popular places for wild swimming in the country.

Mr Mangnall said after the protest: “As a firm supporter of the fishing community, a wild swimmer, a conservationist and a part-time angler, I have been horrified to see our sewage systems overwhelmed by high rainfall, resulting in raw effluent flowing into our waterways and on to our beaches.

“I share the disappointment of many local residents that South West Water is one of the water companies which has been investigated by Ofwat over its management of waste water. For the first time in 30 years, we now have the legislation in place to deal with our archaic sewage system while also holding water companies to account.”