WATER companies have defended themselves after a report accused them of discharging raw sewage into rivers and the sea “more than 3,000 times” in four years.

Seven companies in England and Wales, including Wessex Water, South West Water and Southern Water, were accused of focusing on profits rather than “protecting on the environment”, according to trade union body GMB Union.

A study shows the seven water companies discharged untreated sewage into rivers and the sea more than 3,000 times between 2017 and 2021.

Gary Carter, GMB national officer, said: “The dumping of raw sewage cannot go on.

“Water companies are failing and the Government needs to take action, strengthen regulation and give the environment agency the resources they need to bring an end to dumping.

“For too long there has been a lack of investment. Water companies have been more focused on profits than protecting on the environment, consumers and their employees.

“The water industry in England needs fundamental reform – it’s time to bring back the tap into public ownership so water ways can more cleaned up.”

However, the southern-based companies have vehemently denied the allegations – with one announcing the water quality in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole as “excellent”.

Bournemouth Echo: Bournemouth sewage worksBournemouth sewage works

Wessex Water says it does not “dump raw sewage” and that the GMB are referring to research compiled by Professor Peter Hammond – whose report acknowledged Wessex Water’s “transparency” on such issues.

Prof Hammond’s report reads: “Wessex Water more generally leads the water industry in its transparency on storm discharges as well as co-operation in providing flow and spill data.”

A Wessex Water spokesperson said: “We are working through Professor Hammond’s detailed modelling to verify the data he has calculated for overflow use.

“Our monitoring data indicates these overflows do not impact the downstream ecology of the rivers in these locations and no concerns have been raised by the Environment Agency.”

Wessex Water also said they “refute” the union’s claim that companies focus on profit more than employees, saying 97 per cent of employees rate the company as ‘good’ to work for.

Wessex Water did, however, say it acknowledged there was a need for a step change in the way storm overflows operate in the UK, but to do so was not simple and would require several years of sustained investment.

Meanwhile, Southern Water achieved its highest ever ratings in Defra’s latest Bathing Water summer sampling regime.

Beaches in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole were rated ‘Excellent’ in terms of water quality.

Barry Woodham, Southern Water’s bathing water manager said: “30 years ago only 41 per cent of beaches in the region met the ‘Sufficient’ standard.

“Southern Water has an important role as one of the custodians of the environment. There are a diverse range of pollutions which can impact water quality – contaminated rainwater running off roads and agricultural land, wastewater from privately owned treatment works, boats and animals on the beach such as dogs and seabirds all play a part.”