Jupp calls for sewage discharge action

VIDEO: A crock of solutions?

A growing population and heavier storms are leading to more sewage discharges in the south west, according to East Devon MP Simon Jupp.

In a debate he called in parliament's second chamber, known as Westminster Hall, he called on South West Water to metaphorically pull its finger out.

The debate was attended by MPs from across the region along with water minister Rebecca Pow MP.

Mr Jupp says it is "shameful" that the region's water company discharged sewage 42,000 times, whilst paying its managers "generous bonuses and shareholder pay-outs" that  are unjustifiable, giving it a one-star rating for environmental performance.

He claims that the current government is the first in history to crack down on sewage discharges, but raised the spectre that a £50 per household water bill subsidy could be withdrawn by the government, in which case he wants South West Water to cough up.

Mr Jupp welcomed bigger fines on poor performing water companies, through which regulators can penalise up to 10 per cent of companies’ annual turnover and and the money ring-fenced into improving water quality.
 
Commenting after the debate, Simon Jupp, MP for East Devon, said: “South West Water now needs to spend much more in infrastructure to protect the East Devon public from poor water quality, rather than protecting their company bonuses. I’ll continue to work cross-party with East Devon parish, town, district and county councillors, and environmental groups to hold South West Water to account.”