Southern Water: Calls for action to stop wastewater pumping

It follows the company’s recent move to pump untreated wastewater from the sewer network directly into the river - which was later abandoned.

A petition was signed by more than 7,300 people outraged by the plan that would have seen water and sewage flushed into the River Test at various locations, including Longparish, Appleshaw and Chilbolton Cow Common.

READ MORE: Hampshire civic chiefs grill Southern Water boss over flooding and supply issues

At a meeting of Test Valley Borough Council on Thursday, February 29, Cllr David Drew, cabinet member for recycling and environmental services, called on Southern Water to improve its infrastructure ‘more widely and at a greater speed’ to solve the issue of an overflowing network, and work with OFWAT and the Environment Agency to enable the required investment funding to be released.

Cllr Drew said: “My purpose through this debate is clear and straightforward, to build a coalition to gather firm evidence and with a united front put increasing pressure on Southern Water and the Environment Agency to get things fixed as soon as possible.

“The discharges into the river have an adverse effect on public health, be that people or wildlife.

“To stop this requires more investment in the infrastructure.

“So far the response from Southern Water and the Environment Agency has been underwhelming, which is why creating a forum for all the parishes along the river to take part in is so important is ensuring the longevity and health of the Test.

“I strongly encourage anyone who can offer help or support to get involved and claim back your river, my river, our river.”

SEE ALSO: Win for residents: Water company calls off pumping water into River Test

During the meeting a member of the public brought in a sample of water from the River Test, which was examined by councillors.

Cllr Luigi Gregori, councillor for Andover Harroway, spoke in support of the motion.

He said: “The difficulties which our residents face with Southern Water are slightly different between the north and the south of the borough. In the south it is sewage, flooding and collapse of supply. In the north it is flooding, excessive and expensive tankering leading to the collapse of our roads.

“What can we do as a council? I had suggested at the last cross party climate change working group that we work with local organisations of citizen scientists to gather and disseminate data on our rivers and streams. That would be a useful step forward and increase transparency. Transparency is the enemy of the polluter.”

The motion was unanimously approved.