Councillor Becca Cameron shares this press release, in her own words. Ed
Councillor Les Kirkby has secured the return of Councillor Becca Cameron’s motion of no confidence in Southern Water to the Isle of Wight Council. Councillor Cameron will second the motion when it is considered at Full Council on Wednesday 18th November 2026.
Councillor Les Kirkby, who secured the return of the motion, said,
“We now have the voice of the Island’s residents being represented at the Isle of Wight Council.”
The renewed motion comes amid continuing concerns about sewage pollution, flooding, rising water bills, wastewater infrastructure capacity and Southern Water’s environmental performance.
What happened in July
The original motion was rejected by Full Council in July, despite a petition supported by thousands of Islanders. An alternative motion calling for greater scrutiny and accountability was subsequently agreed.
Since then, concerns have continued, with residents questioning whether Southern Water’s investment plans will deliver the improvements the Island urgently needs.
Bills up almost 60% in two years
Over the past two years, Southern Water’s average annual household water and wastewater bill has increased by approximately 59%, from £478 in 2024/25 to £759 in 2026/27.
Customers now face average bills £120 higher than the national average.
Environment Agency gives one-star rating
Meanwhile, the Environment Agency’s latest environmental performance assessment, published on 29 October 2026, awarded Southern Water the lowest possible rating of one star out of four, placing it among England’s poor-performing water and sewerage companies.
Southern Water also recorded the highest rate of sewerage pollution incidents relative to sewer length among England’s nine major water and sewerage companies.
The councillors believe these findings reinforce the need for greater accountability and clear evidence that increased customer charges are delivering meaningful improvements.
Call for Environment Secretary to act
The renewed motion also seeks to draw the attention of the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Dame Angela Eagle MP, to the continuing problems facing Isle of Wight residents.
The Council’s July resolution called for concerns about Southern Water’s performance to be raised with the Government, Ofwat and the Environment Agency.
Councillors Cameron and Kirkby now want greater clarity about the action being taken in response and whether Southern Water’s investment commitments are sufficient to address the Island’s problems.
Councillor Becca Cameron, who represents Freshwater South, said,
“This is not about party politics. Clean water, healthy rivers and seas, and reliable wastewater infrastructure should matter to every councillor, regardless of political affiliation.
“We need a water system that works for people and wildlife.
“Dirty rivers and seas, sewage spills, flooding, water shortages and increasing pressure on our infrastructure are not separate problems. They are all connected, and they need to be addressed together.
“From the rain that falls on our hills to the water we drink and the sea surrounding our Island, it is all part of one water cycle. The way we manage our water needs to reflect that.
“In the West Wight, particularly Freshwater, Yarmouth, Totland and Colwell, residents have been waiting years for sewage spills to stop. Our beaches, the Western Yar and protected coastal waters continue to be affected.
“Southern Water’s average household bills have risen by almost 60% in just two years, yet residents are still waiting to see meaningful improvements. What exactly are we getting for this additional money?”
Councillor Cameron went on to add,
“I have reviewed Southern Water’s Asset Plan, and I do not believe it goes far enough to address the problems we are experiencing in the West Wight.
“We need to know how much is being invested in our local wastewater infrastructure, which schemes are funded and when they will be delivered.
“We cannot be expected to pay substantially more and then be told we must wait another five, ten or fifteen years for sewage spills to stop. Our residents have already waited years.
“I am also seriously concerned about the capacity of our existing wastewater infrastructure, particularly the Norton to Shalfleet pipeline, and whether the network can safely accommodate further development without the necessary upgrades.
“Southern Water has identified removing surface water from sewers as part of the solution, but this raises further questions about funding, responsibility and the potential for increased flooding if alternative drainage infrastructure is not provided.
“Southern Water previously made a public commitment concerning new development connections and the need for capacity improvements to be identified, funded, scheduled and delivered. Residents deserve to know how that commitment is being honoured.
“The Environment Agency has now given Southern Water its lowest environmental performance rating. At what point do we acknowledge that promises and investment plans are simply not enough?
“We need the Secretary of State to examine the seriousness of the situation on the Isle of Wight and the effectiveness of the regulatory response.
“A vote of no confidence would send a clear message that the continuing concerns of Island residents must be taken seriously.”
Island-wide concerns demand Island-wide accountability
Communities across the Island have experienced sewage discharges, flooding and uncertainty about the resilience of their wastewater infrastructure.
The councillors want Southern Water to provide an Isle of Wight-specific programme of improvements, setting out funding, locations, delivery dates and measurable reductions in sewage spills.
They also want the Government and regulators to intervene if Southern Water fails to deliver the improvements required.
Councillor Cameron added,
“Water connects us all. Sewage pollution does not recognise ward boundaries or political differences.
“Declaring no confidence is not about refusing to work with Southern Water. It is about recognising the seriousness of the problems and demanding demonstrable improvements.
“The Isle of Wight Council cannot regulate Southern Water, but it can represent the people who are paying for its services and living with the consequences when those services fall short.
“We cannot allow this to become another exercise in producing reports and promises while the pollution continues.
“Residents need properly funded improvements, clear delivery dates and evidence that sewage discharges are being reduced.
“We cannot wait years more for clean rivers and seas. The people of the Isle of Wight deserve a water system that works, and they deserve to know when they are going to get it.”
What happens next
The motion will be considered at the Isle of Wight Council’s Full Council meeting on Wednesday 18th November 2026.
OnTheWight put a number of questions to Southern Water in relation to the points raised above. They responded with this statement,
“We’re continuing to work collaboratively with the Isle of Wight Council and will shortly outline our long-term plans and investment to reduce storm overflows, strengthen our wastewater network and improve environmental performance on the Island.
“We know our past performance has not been good enough and that trust has to be earned through action. We’re investing more than £52m on the Isle of Wight to reduce storm overflows as part of our wider £1.5bn Clean Rivers and Seas Plan.
“All the Island’s bathing waters are rated ‘Excellent’ or ‘Good’, but overflow releases remain too high. We welcome scrutiny and expect to be judged on whether we deliver the improvements we’ve committed to.”
We have put specific questions back to the utility company and will report on their responses when they arrive.
