Councillor Sarah Redrup, the Liberal Democrat councillor for Wootton Bridge is calling on fellow Isle of Wight councillors to support a motion to work with stakeholders to ensure that sewage releases into the sea surrounding the Isle of Wight are zero by 2030.
The Wootton Bridge councillor’s motion reads:
The Isle of Wight Council notes that Islanders are deeply concerned about water quality and the impact on wildlife and human health of regular wastewater discharge into our rivers and seas.
Throughout 2023, sewage was discharged into our waters for an astonishing 38,648 hours.
On Christmas Day in 2023, sewage was discharged into the sea for five and half hours, where, the following day, Boxing Day swimmers were bathing.
The Isle of Wight Council Resolves to:
- Recognise this Council’s obligation to protect its rivers and seas in line with its local planning policy, and the National Planning Policy Framework.
- Ensure that the new Island plan and Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS) supplementary planning document fully considers the cumulative impact of surface water runoff and sewage discharge.
- To continue managing stormwater at every opportunity by incorporating or retrofitting SuDS within its own capital programme.
- Help to raise awareness by supporting community groups wishing to conduct water quality testing in their local area.
- To take a positive and proactive lead on this issue and work with stakeholders to ensure that sewage releases into the sea surrounding the Isle of Wight are zero by 2030.
