Southern Water Faces Renewed Scrutiny Over Springhill Pumping Station

Southern Water is facing renewed scrutiny over alleged failures at its Springhill pumping station, amid ongoing concerns about sewage discharges on the Isle of Wight.

Cowes North Labour councillor Jock Rafferty says problems at the facility contributed to pollution of the Medina estuary in May, affecting waters around Cowes, East Cowes and Gurnard at the start of the bathing season.

He is calling on the Isle of Wight Council to seek the full findings of Southern Water's investigation into the incident.

Cllr Rafferty is also proposing that the council asks Southern Water for details of investment planned for improvements at Springhill and across the wider Medina catchment, including costs and timescales.

His motion, due to be considered by full council next Wednesday, also calls for independent water quality monitoring at Cowes, East Cowes and Gurnard throughout the bathing season.

The council is being asked to contact the Environment Agency for an update on its investigation into the May discharges, with a request for the findings to be published in full once completed.

The motion also proposes contacting water services regulator Ofwat and inviting Southern Water's chief executive Lawrence Gosden, or another senior wastewater executive, to attend a council meeting to answer questions.

Cllr Rafferty says repeated sewage discharges damage public confidence, affect tourism and the local economy, and raise concerns about public health and the environment.

Southern Water says it takes concerns about its performance on the Island "very seriously".

The company says it is investing more than £67 million to improve its environmental performance, including accelerated work to reduce storm overflow releases at eight locations, including Gurnard and West Cowes.

It also says it is upgrading infrastructure, trialling new technology and working with partners to reduce the amount of rainwater entering the sewer network.

Southern Water says it looks forward to engaging further with the council following next week's meeting.