Freshwater Parish Council has voted unanimously against Southern Water‘s handling of wastewater infrastructure.
Councillors reached the decision at the Full Council meeting on 7th July 2026.
The vote covers sewage discharges, storm overflows, beach warnings, tankering, asset maintenance, transparency and communication. These issues affect Freshwater, the wider West Wight and other parts of the Island too.
Councillor David Whistance, Chair of Freshwater Parish Council, wrote to Southern Water’s Chief Executive, Mr Gosden, to confirm the council’s decision.
Residents’ concerns sit behind the resolution
The council points to ongoing concern among residents about Southern Water’s performance.
That concern spans local bathing waters, public health, protected habitats, tourism, local businesses and public confidence.
Councillor Whistance frames the resolution as a response to “serious and continuing concern from residents about the impact of Southern Water’s performance”.
Council demands a clear improvement plan
Freshwater Parish Council wants Southern Water to produce a public, site-specific improvement plan for the area.
That plan needs timescales, funding commitments, capacity upgrades, maintenance actions and storm overflow reduction plans.
Councillor Whistance wants reporting arrangements that let residents see
“What is being fixed, when it is being fixed, and how progress will be measured.”
A push for greater transparency
The council also wants Southern Water to share transparent local information. This covers storm overflows, emergency releases, tankering, pump failures, asset capacity and planned upgrades.
Residents want proper explanations for repeated discharges and the reasons behind sewage alerts at local bathing waters.
A call for joined-up action across agencies
Freshwater Parish Council is urging several organisations to work together on the issue.
These include Southern Water, Ofwat, the Environment Agency, DEFRA, Isle of Wight Council, Natural England and the Isle of Wight’s Members of Parliament.
The parish council wants these bodies to pinpoint urgent actions that protect residents, bathing waters, protected habitats, tourism, public health and local confidence.
Southern Water faces a 28-day deadline
Councillor Whistance’s email formally notifies Southern Water of the council’s resolution.
He has requested a written response within 28 days. That response needs to set out what action Southern Water will take to address the concerns raised.
SW response
OnTheWight has also contacted Southern Water for their response to the letter. A spokesperson from the water company shared this reply,
“We take these concerns raised by Freshwater Parish Council seriously and are committed to improving our performance and rebuilding trust with communities on the Isle of Wight.
“Our Chief Executive met with Isle of Wight councillors last month, and has since outlined clear commitments to reduce spills, improve infrastructure and increase transparency.
“We plan to invest more than £67 million across the Isle of Wight to improve environmental performance including significant investment in and around West Wight. We will also be announcing work to reduce storm overflows in this area, investigation work is underway as part of a wider £20m plan on the Island.”
Article edit
11.45am 9th Jul 2026 – SW comment added
