Call for ‘urgent change’ to address systemic failings in water systems

As Channel 4 series Dirty Business hits the headlines, CPRE Sussex calls for an end to the discharge of partially and untreated sewage into our rivers and coastal waters.

A Sussex charity says residents across the county have ‘suffered outrageously’ at the hands of water companies.

CPRE Sussex has long campaigned for an end to the discharge of partially and untreated sewage into our rivers and coastal waters.

Now, with a new television series hitting the headlines, the charity hopes increased media attention may help to drive change.

A 2024 CPRE Sussex survey of 67 parish and town councils across Sussex found 8 in 10 suffer from diffuse sewage flooding in their area, impacting homes, roads, footpaths, green spaces and environmental waters.

At the same time, 7 in 10 councils say they are under development pressure and almost 9 in 10 believe the sewers in their area will not cope with additional sewage.

In January, the Government published its ‘A new vision for water’ White Paper in a bid to address nationwide failings by water companies. While there are some welcome changes, the paper lacks detail and urgency.

CPRE Sussex believes sewers and water treatments works must be upgraded before construction or occupation of new sites.

Read the full press release: