Campaign group says trust in water companies has hit rock bottom

Surfers against Sewage

Research from campaign group Surfers Against Sewage has revealed public trust in water companies is at rock bottom.

The UK Government and regulators have also come under fire, with nearly 7 in 10 people saying more should be done to tackle sewage pollution.

An even bigger proportion  – 83 per cent – think water company regulators need to do more to make sure water companies reduce sewage pollution.

With England going to the polls in the local elections, the survey data reveals the issues that are most likely to inform the public’s vote.

Over a third of respondents in the South West report that environmental issues will be their most important factor for voting.

Among these people, three quarters said they cared about water pollution the most.

SAS are seeking to convert public outrage into action by staging a mass paddle-out protest against sewage pollution, featuring simultaneous events at beaches and rivers across the UK on Saturday 20 May.

Josh Harris, head of communications at Surfers Against Sewage, said: “Last year water companies paid out a combined £1bn to their shareholders while dumping sewage into UK waterways almost 400,000 times.

“It’s time to put an end to this shameless profiteering. Water companies should not be allowed to profit from pollution, and our data shows that the public agree, with a huge majority calling for an end to industry fat cats pocketing bonuses whilst failing to meet minimum environmental standards.

“And it’s not just the water companies that need to clean up their act. The Government and regulators should be enforcing high standards and holding water companies to account, but it’s clear to the public that they’re not doing enough. We’ve suffered decades of broken sewers because of our broken system, and now the public have had enough and are demanding an to end this sewage scandal.”

The data also reveals the importance of river and sea spots for Britons’ physical and mental health.

Two thirds in the South West say access to blue space is beneficial for their physical health, whilst two in five go so far as to say that having limited access to blue space is detrimental for their mental health.

Despite this, two thirds say sewage pollution puts them off going in the sea and rivers in the UK.

To mark the protests, SAS have worked with Niall Jones – a Cornwall-based product designer and owner of Benthos Surf – and creative agency Mr President to develop a surfboard to represent the extent of sewage pollution in UK seas and rivers.

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