Southern Water will come under pressure to publish the full findings of its investigation into ‘failures’ at its Springhill pumping station on the Isle of Wight.
Last Wednesday (16th September 2026), County Hall passed Labour councillor Jock Rafferty’s motion which looks to hold the utility company to account over sewage discharges.
What the motion targets
It said failings associated with the corporation’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.
‘A practical request for transparency’
Councillor Rafferty said,
“This motion is a practical request for transparency and accountability. Our coastal waters matter to public health, our environment, our economy and the Island’s reputation.”
Commenting on the motion previously, a Southern Water spokesperson said it takes any concerns about its performance on the Isle of Wight “very seriously”.
Councillor Rafferty’s submission said repeated discharge events damage public confidence, affect the local economy, impact tourism and raise concerns over public health and environmental protection.
What County Hall will now do
As a result of Wednesday’s vote, County Hall will now 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.
The local authority will also 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.
In addition, the council will 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 agreed 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.
Councillors respond
Councillor Lora Peacey-Wilcox, leader of the Island First Network, said,
“I absolutely admire the amount of work that Councillor Rafferty has put into this and as a Cowes Medina councillor, I’m fully supportive of everything he’s trying to achieve.”
Following an accepted amendment to the motion by Conservative leader Councillor Ed Blake, Southern Water will be requested to provide a report to the council’s environment committee on water quality in the Island’s designated bathing waters.
Councillor Karl Love, independent representative for East Cowes, said,
“East Cowes has particularly been affected as has the whole of the Medina valley by significant sewage leaks.
“We need to remember this is not just about water quality – it’s actually about the fact that we’ve got water shortages.”
Liberal Democrat councillor Michael Lilley pointed to a pumping station in his ward of Ryde Appley and Elmfield which he added had about “1,300” discharges this year.
“Whereas last year, the whole year, was 1,000. Back in 2019 it was 20.”
Southern Water’s response
Southern Water previously said,
“Our CEO Lawrence Gosden met with councillors this summer, and last 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.”
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
