New analysis of Rivers Trust research reveals the sickening level of raw sewage pumped into local waterways. The figures come as pressure builds on Conservative MPs to drop their staggering opposition to a ban on the deliberate pumping of raw sewage into our rivers and by our beaches.

As COP26 begins in Glasgow, the Conservatives have failed to set out any meaningful way forward after they whipped their MPs to oppose a ban in the commons last week. Leading campaigner Feargal Sharkey has been clear that Government statements so far ‘[do] not even come remotely close’ to what is required.

The legislation is expected to return to the Commons on Monday 8 November.

The figures include:

• Severn Trent Water – Mansfield W’house spilled 227 times for a total of 5414 hours.
• Severn Trent Water – Mansfield W’house spilled 63 times for a total of 44 hours.
• Severn Trent Water – Church Warsop spilled 33 times for a total of 199 hours.

Across Mansfield there have been 530 of spills lasting a staggering 6,803 hours last year alone.

Publishing the figures, Cllr Andy Burgin said:

“These figures are utterly revolting. Raw sewage is being pumped into local waterways for the equivalent of hours every single day. This has to stop, it’s bad for the environment, it’s bad for local families, and frankly it’s utterly disgusting.

“People in Mansfield and Warsop will find it utterly astonishing that the Conservatives, have voted against a ban on pumping raw sewage into our waterways.

“After eleven years in power this is the state the Conservatives have left us in. Britain is better than this. It’s time for a change.”

ENDS

Notes to Editors

· The Rivers Trust data is available here and attached here
https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/e834e261b53740eba2fe6736e37bbc7b/?draft=true&org=theriverstrust

· Labour MP’s supported the following amendment to ban the practice of releasing raw sewage into our waterways:

Amendment 45 (Sewage discharges)

Duke of Wellington (Crossbench)

Passed in the Lords: 184 – 147

The purpose of the amendment is to try to eliminate, not simply reduce, the harm caused to the environment and individual and public health by the discharge of untreated sewage into rivers, and to ensure that the various agencies use their powers of enforcement

265 Conservative MPs voted against the plan to eliminate the discharge of raw sewage. They are listed here:https://www.theyworkforyou.com/debates/?id=2021-10-20c.869.0#g869.2

The legislation is expected to return to the commons on 8 November. The Government is yet to give any clear commitments to end the practice. Leading campaigner Feargal Sharkey has argued the Government are still ‘Not [taking action], they are really not’. He told BBC Breakfast that what the Government has said so far ‘Doesn’t even come remotely close’ to what is required. https://twitter.com/Feargal_Sharkey/status/1454172315386843152

https://twitter.com/BBCBreakfast/status/1453256088791420928