Green Party research shows that in 2020 raw sewage flowed into the River Medway and its tributaries for a total of 42,000 hours, the same as five sewers continually releasing raw sewage 24 hours each day for the whole year. Local Greens in Maidstone have vowed to keep a close eye on the water quality in the river.
Stuart Jeffery, Maidstone Green Party said, “I have compared the data from Southern Water with a map from The Rivers Trust of the spill permits and calculated that there were 42,000 hours of raw sewage pumped into the River Medway in 2020.
“This is the same as five sites continually releasing sewage 24 hours each day for the whole year and frankly we are shocked.
“While the Conservative government seems intent on not forcing water companies to clear up their acts and while it continues to defund the Environment Agency we will be keeping a close eye on the water quality ourselves. We have started testing the quality and will continue to do so.
“Our rivers and seas are not open sewers, they should be a source of life yet this government is treating them appallingly.”
Notes:
Data has been sourced from Southern Water and the map from The Rivers Trust.
