Water Industry U-turn is given thumbs down by Government

News that Anglian Water has failed in its attempt to discharge raw sewage into the sea at a popular sailing location has been greeted with applause by clean water campaigners Surfers against Sewage.

Using the argument that it would be more 'sustainable' to discharge raw sewage through a long sea outfall than to treat it to levels required by the UK government, Anglian Water made an appeal to government to allow them to reduce the level of treatment at their new Aldeburgh plant. The debate has been closely watched by the Water Industry, who had voiced concerns about the amount of energy required to treat the nations' sewage to ever-higher levels.

Vicky Garner of SAS:
"We are delighted that the UK government has stuck to its guns. Discharging raw sewage into the water environment is an outdated and dangerous practice. However, now that the Water Industry has highlighted the issue of energy consumption in relation to sewage treatment, we hope to see water companies address the problem by utilising more renewable energy supplies and further developing their own renewable energy potential through the reuse of sewage sludge. The government must encourage and support this move".

For further details contact Vicky or Richard at SAS on 0845 458 3001