Southern Water is set to come under renewed scrutiny over the ‘failures’ of its Springhill pumping station, amid ongoing concerns over Isle of Wight sewage discharges.
Councillor Jock Rafferty has said failings associated with the utility company’s Springhill facility resulted in the pollution of the Medina estuary in May, affecting waters at Cowes, East Cowes and Gurnard at the start of the bathing season.
Motion to full council
His motion to full council next Wednesday (16th September 2026) says the waterway is central to the Island’s maritime economy and to events of national significance, including Cowes Week.
A Southern Water spokesperson said the company takes any concerns about its performance on the Isle of Wight “very seriously”.
Councillor Rafferty’s submission says repeated discharge events damage public confidence, affect the local economy, impact tourism and raise concerns over public health and environmental protection.
Calls for transparency
The Cowes North Labour councillor wants County Hall to write to the chief executive of Southern Water, Lawrence Gosden, seeking publication of the full findings of its investigation into the Springhill pumping station failures.
He is also proposing the council press the utility for formal confirmation of the specific investment commitments, costs and delivery timescales relating to improvements at the site and within the wider Medina catchment as well as independent water quality monitoring at Cowes, East Cowes and Gurnard throughout the bathing season.
Environment Agency and Ofwat
In addition, Councillor Rafferty’s motion calls on the local authority to write to the Environment Agency requesting an update on its own investigation into the May 2026 discharges and asking for its findings to be published in full once completed.
Other action points include contacting national water services regulator Ofwat regarding the May events and inviting Mr Gosden or a senior Southern Water executive with wastewater operations responsibility to attend a council meeting to provide updates and answer questions on the matter.
Southern Water’s response
Southern Water said,
“We take any concerns about our performance on the Isle of Wight very seriously. Our CEO Lawrence Gosden met with councillors this summer, and this week senior staff were on the Island to meet customers at a public roadshow.
“We’re investing more than £67 million to improve our environmental performance, including accelerated work to cut storm overflow releases at eight locations, including Gurnard and West Cowes.
“We’re also upgrading infrastructure, trialling new technology and working with partners to reduce the amount of rainwater entering sewers to help protect bathing waters.
“We look forward to engaging further with Isle of Wight Council following next week’s meeting.”
This article is from the BBC’s LDRS (Local Democracy Reporter Service) scheme, which News OnTheWight is taking part in. Some alterations and additions may have been made by OnTheWight. Ed
