Call for sewage discharge ban on West Country beaches over Bank Holiday
The Environment Agency has no record of sewage discharges during July and August.
The Liberal Democrats are calling for the government to ban water companies from discharging sewage on popular beaches in the West Countryover the Bank Holiday weekend.
A freedom of information request by the party showed that the Environment Agency, responsible for monitoring water quality, has no record of sewage discharges during July and August.
Six water companies - including Thames Water and Severn Trent, which serve Gloucestershire, are facing legal action over allegations of underreporting pollution incidents and overcharging customers.
Liberal Democrat environment spokesman Tim Farron said: "The British public should be given a weekend off from swimming in polluted waters.
"Yet again the Environment Secretary Therese Coffey is missing in action whilst families are at risk of becoming sick from sewage. The Government should haul in these profiteering firms and demand they clean up their act this weekend.
"If that means the companies complete emergency infrastructure work over the next 48 hours, then so be it. Let's not forget, water firms have been stuffing their pockets whilst leaving pipes leaking.
"Why on earth is the Government not speaking up on these disgusting acts of environmental vandalism? Water firms are committing a national scandal whilst ministers look the other way. Frankly, the whole thing stinks."
The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs has been approached for comment.