Bedford Borough Liberal Democrats have called for a ‘Sewage Tax’ on water companies to fund the cleaning up of rivers polluted by sewage dumps.
This comes after new research revealed that water companies are discharging raw sewage into the River Great Ouse and other local rivers at an alarming rate, and the Conservative government have refused to do anything about it.
The Liberal Democrats are calling for a tax on water companies huge profits to improve our sewage system, protect wildlife and save our rivers and lakes.
The latest data shows that several sewage treatment works across the Borough regularly overflowed into the surrounding rivers.
Odell Water Recycling Centre, near Felmersham, overflowed 128 times for a total of 2,824 hours and Pertenhall Sewage Treatment Works, near Keysoe, overflowed 93 times for a total of 1,748 hours.
Sewage pollution contaminates the water, making it harmful for animals, plants and anyone who uses the water. Nationally, water companies discharged sewage into rivers over 400,000 times in 2020, according to the Environment Agency.
Only 14% of England’s rivers are in good ecological health, according to the Rivers Trust.
Anglian Water made a staggering £391 million in operating profits last year. The ‘Sewage Tax’ of 16% on water companies would create an emergency fund for cleaning up rivers. The policy was officially backed by the Liberal Democrats at their Spring Conference last month.
The Liberal Democrats also challenged local Conservative MPs Nadine Dorries and Richard Fuller to support calls for a Sewage Tax, after they refused to back tougher action against water companies that dump sewage in local rivers in Parliament last year.
Liberal Democrat Spokesperson for Environment Overview and Scrutiny Committee, Councillor Tim Hill said: “These profits are absolutely scandalous. Our treasured local rivers have been polluted by disgusting sewage yet Anglian Water is raking in massive profits without taking any action.
“People around here are furious at how badly they treat our local environment.
“It is time our local Conservative MPs finally stood up to the Government and Anglian Water. We need representatives who are willing to take action against these sewage dumps in our river.”
Oakley Liberal Democrat Councillor Jon Abbott said: “An environmental disaster is taking place in our towns and villages, yet the Government shows no signs of taking action.
“Last year the Government initially refused to ban sewage dumps in rivers, then they let water companies carry on as normal by failing to set meaningful timescales and targets. The very least they could do now is to force water companies to clean up their mess.”
To show your support for a Sewage Tax on water companies huge profits, sign our petition at https://change.libdems.org.uk/stop-sewage
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