UPDATE: The second reading of The Sewage (Inland Waters) Bill has been delayed. With lockdowns in place across the UK , parliamentary time is being understandably devoted to  COVID-19. This just gives you more time to get in touch with your MP and demand they pipe up for rivers when the Bill returns.

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Over 40,000 of you signed the #EndSewagePollution petition calling on the government to introduce world-leading water quality legislation. They are starting to listen!

The government now has the chance to address the sewage pollution scandal by adopting the Sewage (Inland Waters) Bill.  To make sure this happens, we must ask our MPs to join the fight to end sewage pollution and support the bill in parliament on the 15th January.

Email your MP and ask them to #PipeUp about sewage pollution! 

The #EndSewagePollution Coalition, led by Surfers Against Sewage, worked closely with the Senior Conservative MP and Chair of the Environmental Audit Committee, Philip Dunne, to produce the Bill and ensure the #EndSewagePollution Petition asks were included. The Sewage Bill will make sure water companies stop discharging sewage into rivers, lakes and waterways in England. It also requires companies to introduce plans to progressively reduce their reliance on combined sewer overflows (CSOs) and ensures an increased level of transparency.

The Bill will have its 2nd reading in Parliament on January 15th where MPs will have an opportunity to debate the bill and show their support for action to #EndSewagePollution. It’s vital that we get as many MP’s as possible, to show up to the reading and vote in favour of the Bill so that it continues its passage through legislation to become law.

Henry Swithinbank, Policy Officer, Surfers Against Sewage:

‘This new Bill shows that our petition has already started to make waves in parliament. Now is the time to harness this energy and for us to call on our elected representatives to pipe up and support this world-leading legislation that will help to #EndSewagePollution.

So take the next step and demand that your MP shows up for rivers and the ocean on the 15th November.’

Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland make their own rules about the Environment, so this Bill will only apply to England. But by asking your MP to show their support for this Bill, you can send a message to your parliament that you want action to #endsewagepollution as well.

Your MP represents you in parliament and as a constituent, you have the power to demand they support the bill. As the momentum grows, now is the time to take the next step in the fight to end sewage pollution and ask your MP to join the movement.

Find out more: https://www.sas.org.uk/EndSewagePollution-SewageBill