A FRIGHTENING increase in sewage spills in the Anglian Water region has been slammed as scandalous by the Lib Dem parliamentary candidate for Colchester, Martin Goss.

New figures released by the Environment Agency have revealed the number of incidents of discharged sewage flowing into the area’s water system increased by a staggering 97% – the second worst performance by a water company in the country.

The findings showed there 31,632 cases in 2023 that equated to 271,465 hours – up from 16,082 incidents the previous year.

Liberal Democrats are calling for tougher action against sewage dumping in local rivers and beaches, including replacing Ofwat with a tougher regulator. The party has also called for a ban on bonuses for water company bosses whose firms have dumped sewage into waterways.

Martin said; “It is a complete scandal that filthy sewage is being pumped into our region’s rivers and waterways.

“Our community should not be forced to put up with this any longer yet time and again this Conservative government has voted against tougher action on sewage dumping. 

“We are leading the way in holding water companies to account and have called for tougher action to stop sewage being dumped in local rivers and beaches. We need to see a ban on bonuses for water company bosses whose firms have pumped filth into our waterways and our local community is protected from this filth.”