David Levy – Why we discharge raw sewage to rivers and the sea – Jul 21

Both Stephen and I have appeared on BBC local radio and television programmes about river water quality and the implications for human health.

It is never easy to assess the success of appearing in the media.   However repeated quotes from us featured throughout the day and it has led to a Director from Wessex Water wanting ongoing dialogue which we will follow up on.   Agreeing on the source separation of the foul sewer from surface water (rain water) run–off and drainage will be essential to sorting out the problem.

When that same Director actually agreed with our perspective but tried to put the water company’s inaction down to financial implications, then that dialogue is very necessary.

The question that is so apparent and which needs asking is: What has been the relationship between OFWAT and the water companies, when each knows the situation is out of control and the only way that they can operate is through illegality?

OFWAT, which is controlled through the Treasury, has denuded the investment structures for all water companies and so it is the Government who has been responsible for this appalling desecration of our rivers through discharges of partially or untreated sewage into the rivers and seas.   The mechanics involves ‘storm overflows’ from the foul sewer (CSOsCSO The sewerage system generally carries surface water from rain falling on paved areas (roads, pavements, roofs, etc.) via a separate sewer from the sewer which carries foul water (sewage). Surface water sewers are generally low in contamination and are allowed to discharge direct to rivers and sea with no treatment, whereas foul sewers go to a sewage treatment works. When there is heavy or prolonged rainfall sewage treatment works may receive some of this rainwater and thus become overloaded. In these circumstances they need to overflow, discharging the overflow with little or no treatment. This overflow either goes direct to a river or the sea or, more commonly, into a surface water sewer which already connects with a river or the sea. This event, when a surface water sewer is compelled to accept poorly or untreated foul water, turns the surface water sewer into a combined sewer (surface and foul water) on account of the foul water sewer overflowing into it. When this happens the discharge from the surface water sewer is known as a ‘combined sewer overflow’.).

At every stage of this situation you can see the murky hand of Government responsible for the current situation, and equally you can also see the slow response by them to rectify the situation.   As Lord Botham and Fergal Sharkey have said, the Government could put all this right with a stroke of the pen.   The question is: Why have they not?

The answer to this lies firmly in the Treasury.   Government policy (whichever party) is to enable national pension schemes to invest in those companies which are ‘Blue Chip’ stocks and which produce good, reliable dividends.   The utilities are exactly in that category.

Do not rock the boat is the driving mantra.

From a pessimistic perspective, I can see that nothing will truly be done to right this wrong until outbreaks of new viruses and disease arise from the river courses and our interaction with this environment.

This outcome is inevitable unless our original amendments make headway in the House of Lords and enter the Environment Bill (Act).

In your private prayers and thoughts for influence, can you please ask for Lord Wellington and his efforts to prevail against the forces arrayed against him.

In a positive frame of mind, we have to hope for good to triumph over the forces for evil.

David Levy