I’m determined to tackle the storm sewage discharges that are polluting our local rivers and coastline.
Last year I helped secure £2 million of investment in the Faversham Wastewater Treatment Works. This investment will increase capacity at the plant and lead to fewer sewage discharged into the Creek.
But I know we need to do more, and our new Environment Act gives us the power to set stronger targets and penalties for water companies.
Under plans announced by the Environment Secretary last week, water companies will face strict limits on when they can use storm overflows.
As part of the plans, water companies must completely eliminate the ecological harm any storm sewage discharges cause to the environment and significantly reduce discharges to protect public health. View the full plans here.
The consultation on the Storm Overflows Discharge Reduction Plan outlines a step change in how water companies tackle the number of discharges of untreated sewage.
A growing population, Victorian infrastructure, and an increase in extreme weather events has increased pressure on our sewer system – bringing the frequency of discharges to unacceptable levels.
The plans recently announced are the largest programme in history to tackle sewage discharges, which will help improve water quality across the country – including in Faversham and Mid Kent.
