Flintshire councillors join forces with Alyn and Deeside MP Mark Tami to tackle sewage pollution

Alyn and Deeside MP Mark Tami has joined forces with local councillors backing a campaign to clamp down on sewage pollution.

The ‘End Sewage Pollution’ campaign is working to gather support for the Sewage (Inland Waters) Bill, a new law which, if passed, will place a duty on water companies to ensure that untreated sewage is no longer discharged into rivers and inland waters.

The campaign is concerned about the harmful effects of sewage pollution on ocean and river wildlife, biodiversity, and people who enter polluted water for recreation. Mr Tami is backing the new law in Parliament. 

Mr Tami said: “I’m proud to be backing this vital campaign. Alyn and Deeside is named after two rivers which run right through the local area, so this campaign is extra important for my constituents.”

“For the sake of our diverse wildlife and the wellbeing of local people, it is time that we put a stop to the discharging of untreated sewage into our waters.”

“This is an important local issue as it is a national one, so I’m really glad that local county and community councillors have joined me in this call for action.”

Sam Swash, Labour community councillor for Mancot said: “It is incredibly concerning that one of the outlets here in Mancot is spilling sewage with such frequency. ”

“This waste is supposed to be contained underground and treated within the sewage system, not covering the streets of our village or finding its way into the river system.”

“Combine these sewage leaks with the damage that was wrought on our community during Storm Christoph and the sort of severe flooding we are seeing more and more often – it does not paint a pretty picture at all. Of course, this is only exacerbated in light of the plans by the Gladstone Estate to develop more than 280 houses on Ash Lane.”

“It is very clear to residents that the present system is simply unable to cope with the current capacity. To press ahead with such a huge development anyway is incredibly irresponsible.”

Christine Jones, county councillor for Sealand added: “I’m deeply concerned about the damaging effects of sewage spillage, especially for wildlife and residents in my Sealand ward. It’s time that the current licence to spill system is scrapped for a cleaner and greener alternative.” 

Gladys Healey, county councillor for Hope said: “I’m extremely concerned to hear that, in 2019, the sewage outlet in Rhyddyn Hill Caergwrle spilled 32 times for a total of 169 hours. We need to take action now”.

Buckley resident Dan Rose said: “Buckley is a critical habitat for protected Great Crested Newts and these overflow locations are right on the boundaries of SSSI protected sites of national importance.”

“It’s absurd that Welsh Water hasn’t taken this into consideration when looking at discharge into our brooks. It’s really good that Mark Tami has taken this issue up in Parliament.”

Sewage pollution is still a widespread issue across the UK. The current ‘license to spill’ system allows water companies to discharge of untreated sewage with permission. In 2019, there were over 200,000 of these discharges into UK rivers. 

The Sewage (Inland Waters) Bill is currently in the House of Commons’ 2nd reading stage of the legislative process.