March 27th, 2024.



Today's new sewage figures released by the Environment Agency show Southern Water discharged sewage into our rivers and seas a staggering 29,494 times in 2023, almost double the previous year up from 16,668. The water company’s sewage discharges lasted 317,285 hours.

At Lewes, the Ham Lane pumping station released sewage into the Ouse 243 times last year, lasting a total of 4830.64 hours. The Lewes figures represent the second highest number of spills in the entire Southern Water area.

Sewage was released into Seaford Bay at Newhaven main CSO 138 times, for 1040.91 hours.

Liberal Democrat parliamentary candidate for Lewes, James MacCleary, (pictured), has called for a ban on these sewage discharges in protected waters, as well as a ban on water company executives being paid multi-million pound bonuses.

James said: “These figures are a damning verdict on the government’s failure to stop Southern Water from dumping sewage into our waterways.

“I know that local people are furious that our favourite swimming places and precious wildlife habitats have become poisoned with raw sewage. The Conservative government just doesn't seem to care.

“It's time Maria Caulfield’s government got tough with Southern Water. They are raking in massive profits, all whilst destroying the environment. Frankly, the whole thing stinks.”