The Member of Parliament for Winchester and Chandler’s Ford, Steve Brine, has met with Southern Water’s CEO for an update on the company’s recent performance.
Meeting at Platform1shawford cafe Steve raised variety of concerns with CEO, Lawrence Gosden, relating to Combined Storm Overflows (CSOs), issues at Easton Water Supply Works in January, Southern Water’s recent cyber-attack, works at the Otterbourne Water Supply Works and ongoing flooding issues in Brambridge.
CSOs continue to be one of the biggest points of contention relating to water companies in the UK and the local MP has dedicated his time to more closely understand the issue whilst also supporting a strong Government stance on the situation.
The ‘Storm overflow discharge reduction plan’, brought about by the Environment Act which Steve voted for while opposition MPs voted against, requires water companies to make their largest infrastructure spend in water company history to increase capacity. It is backed by up to £56 billion capital investment.
The Environment Agency and Ofwat have launched the largest ever criminal and civil investigations into waste-water treatment works and they’ve dramatically increased funding for EA inspections via the ‘Plan for Water’.
The Government have also ringfenced now unlimited fines from water companies so that they don’t go to HM Treasury but stay in DEFRA for environmental projects. Last Spring, the Secretary of State announced the storm overflow target will be enshrined in law.
During Steve’s meeting with Southern Water on Friday [23rd February 2024] Steve learnt about their new interactive map which allows users to see every storm overflow in the region. It also includes planned works for the overflows that currently do not meet the Government’s target.
The map can be found here: https://www.southernwater.co.uk/water-for-life/clean-rivers-and-seas-plan/map
The past two Winters have seen the local community hampered by disruptions to the water supply, stemming from issues at Otterbourne and Easton Water Supply Works.
Mr Brine robustly criticised Southern Water on national and local media during the multiple outages and is now welcoming the investment which hopes to reduce chances of repeats in the future.
Southern Water have announced the ‘Southampton Link Main’ which seeks to connect Otterbourne Water Supply Works with Andover and Testwood, ensuring water can be swiftly moved around the network in line with demand. These pipes will make-up part of the wider Hampshire Grid.
Following his meeting Steve said : “A really insightful and useful meeting with Lawrence Gosden and Southern Water which allows me to understand the issues facing my constituents more clearly.”
“I always appreciate the openness and honesty about their progress as well as their failings and left them in no doubt we need to see significant progress in all areas. I’ve left them with plenty of homework for the coming months and will be keeping extremely close tabs on it all.”
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