Footage Shows Torrent Of Sewage Flowing Into Seaview Sea As Result Of Heavy Downpour

A video posted online shows 'a torrent' of sewage flowing into Isle of Wight seas following the heavy rainfall across the last week.

The footage was recorded by Hannah Rochell in Seaview last week:

 

 

 

 

View this post on Instagram

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A post shared by Rapanui (@rapanuiclothing)

A statement from Rapanui, which reposted the video, said:

"This is what it looks like when heavy rain meets outdated infrastructure, the result is a storm of consequences.

"Our oceans pay the price, and so do we.

"In times of heavy rainfall, properties must be protected, yet is this really the best system we can come up with? A system that sacrifices the health of our oceans and the wellbeing of our communities."

The post comes as hundreds of Islanders take part in various October sponsored 'dip a day' challenges to raise money for charities such as Surfers Against Sewage.

One person taking part in the charity challenge said:

"While I wouldn't recommend people swimming in the sea during storms, once the weather improves and we return, this sewage will continue to be present in the water.

"What can be done to improve that for those people, when we've seen a number of swimmers become unwell from sewage being pumped into our seas in the past?"

The video was filmed by Hannah during a walk in Seaview.

A spokesperson for Southern Water said:

"The recent stormy weather has led to extremely heavy downpours across the Isle of Wight, resulting in thousands of tonnes of water overwhelming our systems. 

"To stop homes, schools and businesses from flooding, storm overflows act as a release value to temporarily relieve this pressure on our systems, allowing excess flows - typically composed of up to 95% rainwater - to enter rivers and the sea.

"This is permitted by the Environment Agency.

“We are dedicated to significantly reducing storm overflows and are running innovative pilot schemes across the Isle of Wight, using nature-based solutions that help to stop or slow the flow of rainwater entering our combined sewers.

"We will be scaling successful schemes as quickly as we can, and announcing more detail on these plans across our region soon.”  

The Surfers Against Sewage Safer Seas & Rivers Service app monitors water quality, with the group demanding action to clean the seas.

In response to the criticism and ongoing situation, an Environment Agency spokesperson said:

"It is the responsibility of water and sewerage companies to manage their operational activities to comply with all relevant environmental legislation.

"Any pollution of our rivers and seas may impact on human health, local biodiversity and our environment.

"Where there is evidence of non-compliance with discharge permits, or suspected pollution of our seas and rivers by anyone, we keep all enforcement options under review.

"Anyone who suspects pollution can report it to the Environment Agency’s incident hotline: 0800 807060."

Isle of Wight MP Bob Seely - a keen swimmer himself - told Isle of Wight Radio:

“As a regular swimmer, I hate the idea of polluted seas as much an anyone, which is why this Conservative Government has mandated the biggest environmental improvements in decades through ground-breaking new environment laws.

“Those changes are starting now and in time will lead to much greater resilience and a better, cleaner environment.

"Tens of millions is being invested on the Island, which is acting as a national example of best practise for the UK.  

“The floods we have seen this week were a once in 20 years event and sometimes the system will be overwhelmed, but we are designing greater resilience into the system. All part of getting a better deal for the Island.

“The EA too have committed to a £51 million pounds flood defence programme around the Island.”