Labour vows to put sewage-dumping water companies in special measures as waterborne diseases soar

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Waterborne diseases have “put thousands of people in hospital” since 2010, Labour stated, as it vowed to put water companies dumping sewage into UK rivers and seas beneath special measures.

Cases of waterborne diseases such as dysentery have soared by almost 60 per cent in 14 years, in accordance to the occasion’s evaluation of NHS hospital admissions knowledge.

The variety of folks admitted to hospital with diseases transmitted by way of waterborne an infection rose from 2,085 in 2010/11 to 3,286 in 2022/23, in accordance to Labour.

It stated the statistics confirmed that in the final 12 months alone greater than 120 folks had been recognized with leptospirosis – a uncommon an infection additionally identified as Weil’s illness that may trigger fever and vomiting – double the quantity recognized with the identical situation in 2010.

One of the methods of contracting the illness is by getting freshwater containing contaminated animal urine into your mouth, eyes or a reduce throughout actions such as kayaking and outside swimming, in accordance to the NHS.

It got here as figures this week revealed storm overflows spilled sewage into rivers and seas for greater than 3.6 million hours in 2023, greater than double the earlier 12 months.

Data printed by the Environment Agency confirmed sewage spills at their highest-ever ranges, with 464,056 spills in 2023, up 54 per cent from 301,091 in 2022. And a marine biologist revealed this week that uncooked sewage being dumped in the English Channel has left each marine species in the water “full of cocaine, amphetamines and MDMA”.

Professor Alex Ford informed The Independent the medication are in such small traces that they wouldn’t have the ability to kill an aquatic creature by overdose however the medication, particularly cocaine, amphetamines and MDMA, might alter their behaviour.

There is rising anger over the polluted state of England’s rivers and coasts, with no single stretch of river classed as being in a very good general situation, and tons of of air pollution threat alerts issued for well-liked seashores across the nation final 12 months.

Fury with the water trade intensified on Thursday when Thames Water revealed its funding disaster had deepened after shareholders refused to give the troubled utility further money.

It is known traders pulled the funding plan that was agreed final summer time after the regulator Ofwat refused to bow to the debt-laden water big’s calls for for a 40 per cent invoice hike for purchasers and an easing of capital spending necessities, as properly as leniency on penalties for failing to meet targets.

Labour shadow atmosphere secretary Steve Reed stated: “It is sickening that this Conservative government has turned a blind eye to illegal sewage dumping that has put thousands of people in hospital.

“To make matters worse, consumers face higher water bills while water bosses pocket millions in bonuses.

“Labour will put the water companies under special measures to clean up water. We will strengthen regulation so law-breaking water bosses face criminal charges and give the regulator new powers to block the payment of any bonuses until water bosses have cleaned up their filth.

“With Labour, the polluter – not the public – will pay.”

Sir Keir Starmer’s occasion has additionally pledged to finish self-monitoring and pressure all companies to monitor each single water outlet beneath impartial supervision, as properly as introducing robust fines for unlawful sewage discharges.

Richard Walker, former chairman of Surfers Against Sewage, stated: “Labour’s plan will take the tough action required to get our vital utilities back to serving the public interest.

“Everyone deserves to enjoy our beautiful coastline and rivers without the fear of getting sick because some fat cat has been shovelling out dividends rather than investing in vital improvements.”

And Richard Benwell, chief government of Wildlife and Countryside Link, stated: “Pollution and nature loss are a public health disaster. Billions could be saved every year for the NHS by cleaning up filthy rivers, curbing air pollution, and bringing nature back to life. All parties should make big polluters pay and ensure water companies invest in nature recovery for the sake of public health.”

Storm overflows dump untreated sewage into rivers and seas, normally throughout heavy rainfall, to cease sewers backing up.

Water companies have stated they need to triple funding to £10bn over the interval 2025-2030 to sort out the issue, which might be paid for by shopper payments.

A Conservative spokesperson stated: “Labour’s botched-together announcement today is entirely made up of measures this government is already delivering under our Plan For Water.

“It shows that, unlike the Conservatives, Keir Starmer and his party have no plan for cutting sewage spills and holding water companies to account. They would take us back to square one.”

The authorities has launched a session to ban water bosses’ bonuses when legal breaches have occurred, quadrupled firm inspections subsequent 12 months, fast-tracked £180m of funding to reduce spills, and launched a whistleblowing portal for water firm staff to report breaches.