Water Quality Meeting

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THE MP for Southend West conducted a Chalkwell beach-side meeting with water firm bosses and other agencies to discuss efforts to improve water quality.

Anna Firth MP invited Peter Simpson, CEO of Anglian Water, and representatives from Ofwat, ECAS, the Environment Agency and representatives from local swimming groups, including Southend Against Sewage, the Blue Tits Chill Swimmers and the Red Caps, to a morning of water testing and a joint meeting to discuss how to improve the sewage system, following many recent incidents of sewage discharge into the Thames Estuary around Southend.

Ms Firth has been lobbying on this issue since her election in 2022, and has held meetings with DEFRA, Ministers and Anglian Water prior to organising the water testing event.

She commented: “I joined the Environment Agency ahead of the meeting to test the quality of the water just off Chalkwell Beach, which currently has a ‘good’ rating for its bathing water. It was very wet and windy, but I thoroughly enjoyed learning more about how this is done, and I look forward to receiving the results of this test next week.”

At the meeting, Anglian Water announced that they are investing £17 million to improve the sewers in Southend, to make them fit for the 21st century, as well as improving monitoring of storm overflows and improving education on the harm that flushing wet wipes and cooking fat has on the sewage system.

They also committed to sharing a timetable for their plans to reduce the use of storm overflows.

Ms Firth also secured a commitment from Anglian Water and OFWAT to hold such meetings regularly.

Ms Frith added: “People flock to our sea-side city throughout the summer to swim, and a huge number of our local businesses rely on people coming to visit our beautiful beaches for their livelihoods.

“So many of the people who live in Southend enjoy swimming in the sea – even on Christmas Day – and of course we have a world-famous cockle industry. For everyone here, having clean sea water is absolutely vital.”

Daniella, from Blue Tits, commented: “It was a pleasure to have been invited by Anna Firth MP to a meeting with Anglian Water and Ofwat.

“Having the opportunity to speak with Anglian Water in such a frank and direct manner was really productive. Agreeing to meet on a quarterly basis will enable us to hold them to account on their given deliverables.”

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THE MP for Southend West conducted a Chalkwell beach-side meeting with water firm bosses and other agencies to discuss efforts to improve water quality.

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