Lewes MP Slams National Water Scandal and Calls for Urgent Local Action

Liberal Democrat MP for the Lewes constituency, James MacCleary, has responded to damning new figures from the Environment Agency showing a 60% rise in serious water pollution incidents in England last year, branding the situation a “national scandal” and warning that local communities are being let down.

The data revealed a record 2,801 pollution incidents in 2024 - including 75 classed as causing serious or persistent harm -  with three companies, including Southern Water, responsible for the vast majority.

He also responded to reports that the Government will scrap Ofwat. 

James said: “This is an utter disgrace. We are witnessing a systemic failure – years of underinvestment, weak regulation and corporate negligence are poisoning our rivers and my constituents.

“Southern Water and others have been allowed to get away with environmental vandalism on an industrial scale. Meanwhile, the government and regulators have been missing in action – asleep at the wheel while our waterways spiral into ecological collapse.

“Residents in our area already know how broken the system is - from repeated supply failures to leaking pipes that go unrepaired for days."

Responding to news today that OfWat is to be scrapped, James said: “It’s about time the Government came to its senses. The Liberal Democrats have been demanding Ofwat be scrapped since 2022. If Ministers fail to follow through now, it would be a betrayal of Southern Water customers who for too long have put up with sewage dumping, poor service and rocketing bills.

“This must be the beginning of genuine reform. We need a tough, effective regulator that puts the environment and customers first, not the profits of Southern Water.

“New figures this week show yet again a spike in the most egregious sewage discharges. People in Lewes. Newhaven, Seaford, Polegate, and local villages are fed up with filthy rivers, sewage spills and costly, leaky pipes. We won’t stop fighting until our waterways are clean and protected.”

The BBC report of the data released today can be found here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cg5zl75dmm0o