Protesters demand action on sewage pollution

Protests have been taking place across the South, calling for more to be done to tackle sewage pollution.

The nationwide Paddle Out Protest was organised by Surfers Against Sewage (SAS), with several events in Hampshire, the Isle of Wight, Dorset and Berkshire.

Scarlet Biles, from Southampton Canoe Club, joined a protest in the city and said the sewage system needs investment "to make it better", calling the current water quality "horrendous".

Water companies across the region said they were investing heavily in infrastructure but said other factors, such as weather, agriculture and runoff, also impact river and coastal health, and that progress depends on shared responsibility.

There were more than 290,000 sewage spills by the water companies in England in 2025, according to Environment Agency (EA) data, and SAS said it is getting worse in 2026.

The charity said that since 2019, it has received more than 7,600 reports from people who have fallen ill after using the water, including extreme cases resulting in hospitalisation and ongoing health problems.

Biles said she has suffered from E.coli and sickness as a result of using the water and said the current water quality was "horrendous", adding that water companies should not be pumping sewage into areas used by children and adults for activities.

"If they want us to use the waters in a healthy way and be outside, we need to have better conditions," said the canoeist.

Helen Littlejohn led a protest in Emsworth, Hampshire, and said "the status quo is simply unacceptable".

She said: "Our daily testing in Emsworth has shown first hand the impact of untreated sewage on our local environment.

"While water companies pay out huge dividends and bonuses, our ecosystems are being decimated and our community's health is being put at risk.

"We are paddling out to show regulators and the government that we will not back down until we see real legislative change and an end to sewage pollution for good."

This was echoed by Brett Colledge, who went out on the water at Sandown Beach on the Isle of Wight.

He called it "negligence from water companies and their bosses paying themselves handsomely, putting profit before public health".

Campaigners have called on the government to end the current industry model and remove the profit motive, ensuring water companies operate for people and the environment rather than shareholders.

In the King's Speech, the government announced a Clean Water Bill, which will merge the functions of several existing regulators, including Ofwat, in a bid to end "fragmented oversight" over the privatised water sector.

Emmajo Haslam was running the paddle out in Sandbanks, Dorset, and called for more "accountability".

He said: "Our waters are used by far more than just bathers and surfers, they are a vital blue space for our mental health, our wellbeing and our connection to nature.

"No-one should have to question whether stepping into the sea will make them ill."

In Newbury, Berkshire, protest leader Dale Campbell said: "People are fed up with sewage pollution being treated as normal.

"This paddle out is a visible, peaceful protest to show that communities like Eco-friends Thatcham Newbury are paying attention and we expect better."

Water companies across the region said they welcomed the rights of the protesters to express their views.

They have said they are investing heavily in infrastructure and new technology to improve water quality but state that other factors, such as weather, agriculture and runoff, also impact river and coastal health, and that progress depends on shared responsibility.

Wessex Water said most coastal waters in its area were rated excellent by the EA, adding that it was investing in AI monitoring and major infrastructure upgrades to improve river health.

Dr Nick Mills, director for environment and innovation at Southern Water, said improving river and sea health was a priority, with major investment in storm overflow reduction, AI and a £1.5bn Clean Rivers and Seas Plan.

South West Water said that despite heavy rainfall it has cut overflow spills and spill durations through a £760m investment plan. It said while "there's more to do... the direction is clear: Fewer spills, shorter durations and investment where it matters most".

Thames Water said it was prioritising river health by "delivering the biggest upgrade across our wastewater assets in 150 years" over the next five years. It said it was committed to "seeing waterways thrive" adding: "But we can't do it alone... clean, safe and healthy rivers are a shared responsibility."