More than 100 campaigners gathered in Gurnard over the weekend to protest against Southern Water sewage discharges off the Isle of Wight.
Calling for 'cleaner seas please', Islanders met on Gurnard beach on Saturday (15).
Among those supporting efforts were sustainable clothing brand Rapanui, organisers said.
Credit: Vertigo Films
The protest comes following numerous reports of 'untreated' sewage being discharged off various parts of the Island.
One campaigner told Isle of Wight Radio:
"For most of us locals we are not interested in the political positioning on this. We want solutions more urgently than is being delivered or presented.
"In short, we don’t want to swim or do watersports in s**t, anymore."
Isle of Wight MP Bob Seely was in attendance to address concerns, following criticism he is not doing enough to aid efforts.
Holding a megaphone, with the words 'Plastic Mermaids' on it — a nod to the Island band of the same name — he said water firms need to clean up their act.
Credit: Bob Seely
He also repeated steps he says are being taken by himself and Southern Water.
He said:
"Water firms HAVE spilled too much into rivers & beaches.
"They need to clean up their act. When the ground-breaking Environment laws went through last year, we persuaded Southern Water to make the Isle of Wight a test case for national best practice.
"That consists of:
- Investment in Sandown treatment works.
- Work to reduce drive-way and road-way rainwater run-off.
- Better planning to ensure more focus on water run-off in industrial areas.
- Handing out slow-release water butts to households."
He added:
"I’ll push for early-as-possible work at Gurnard & other popular IOW beaches - I know how key they are for year-round Island sea swimmers and our tourism. Water firms DO need to clean up their act.
"I will work with everyone to make sure they deliver on the Island."
He highlighted a water butt trial in Havenstreet, where 132 residents were given butts.
Credit: Vertigo Films
He said before the trial, Havenstreet pumping station spilled 20-30 times a year.
Since the trial he said it hasn’t spilled once.
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