An alleged emptying of “untreated sewage” into the Norton Pumping Station has been raised at the Isle of Wight Council, something Southern Water refute.
Freshwater South’s Councillor Becca Cameron asked a question on the “serious matter” at last Thursday’s Economy, Regeneration, Transport and Infrastructure (ERTIC) Committee Meeting.
The Empowering Islanders group representative previously said local artist Anna Keen witnessed and photographed an incident involving a tanker on 6th July 2025.
Ms Keen had spoken to the tanker’s driver who stated he was discharging sewage from a Lithuanian ship, according to Councillor Cameron.
The pumping station is close to the internationally protected Solent and Southampton Water Ramsar site.
Cameron: calls for investigation
Councillor Cameron said,
“A lorry or tanker was recently seen emptying untreated sewage from a ship into the Norton Pumping Station. Southern Water has stated in writing that it was pumping chemicals.
“Photographs show that the lorry did not have the required signage, and Southern Water has no licence to do this.
“Will the committee investigate this serious matter and take the appropriate action?”
Jones-Evans: Water companies are held accountable by OFWAT
Reading out a written response, ERTIC’s Alliance group chair Councillor Julie Jones-Evans said,
“Council officers have submitted an environmental information request to Southern Water to understand this query in greater detail.
“However, it must be noted that in England and Wales water companies are held accountable by OFWAT, the economic regulator and the Environment Agency.”
The results of the request are due to be sent to ERTIC and Councillor Cameron.
Jarman: “The material contained a brown slurry with lumpy bits“
Councillor Chris Jarman, leader of the Empowering Islanders group and representative for Totland and Colwell, told the chamber,
“A declaration of interest that I was out with my walking group and witnessed…and took photographs of one of the tankers at the scene pumping material out which was later disclosed by Southern Water to be chemicals into the Norton Pumping Station.
“The earlier time we observed that, it was quite clear from the overflow running from the station into Yarmouth Harbour that the material contained a brown slurry with lumpy bits which I would hesitate to call chemicals and would probably assign to some other material…
“The bottom line is that the incident was first denied by Southern Water – then it was postulated by them that it was chemicals – I believe they’ve see-sawed between that and sewage.
“The driver tanker themselves identified it as effluent that had been brought from the mainland from a Lithuanian tanker from their sewage and bilge which was being emptied into the sewage network on the Isle of Wight.
“We further were informed that it’s occurring at three different locations on the Island.”
He said that photographs showing the vehicles in question “did not display any Hazchem warnings at all”.
Hazchem safety signs are used on vehicles transporting hazardous materials.
Jarman: “Probably a police issue”
Councillor Jarman added the matter was “probably a police issue” and highways related if chemicals were being discharged, as “finally claimed” by Southern Water.
Southern Water and Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary have been approached for comment.
Southern Water: Claims are categorically false and misleading
The water company’s Managing Director for Wastewater, John Penicud, said,
“After receiving concerns about tanker activity at our Norton Transfer Wastewater Pumping Station in July, we have been clear that claims that the site accepts trade waste are categorically false and misleading.
“The tanker in question was delivering chemicals to site, which assist in reducing odours. The vehicle was displaying the correct signage for the chemicals being used, this vehicle, to be clear, was not carrying trade waste.
“We have invited those who have contacted us about these claims to visit the site for a tour, where we can explain how our treatment processes work.”
Article edit
12.15pm 21 Oct 2025 – SW comment added
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
