Conservative councillors join calls for action over sewage at Wearside coast
Sunderland's Conservative councillors have requested the Chief Executive of Northumbrian Water attend a walk about in Seaburn
Wearside's Conservative councillors are now calling on Northumbrian water to join a meeting on Sunderland sea front.
Yesterday the company was named among 6 facing legal action for allegedly misleading the Environment Agency over how much sewage is being pumped into our rivers and sea.
Local Conservative councillor Michael Hartnack is leading the calls for Northumbrian Water to attend a walk-about at Seaburn and Roker, following reports of illness among triathletes competing in the World Triathlon Championships, which took place on Wearside last month.
Cllr Michael Hartnack said:
“It is now known that on Monday 31 July, the day after the conclusion of the triathlon event, data was published by the Environment Agency showing that reduced water quality was detected by them on Wednesday 26 July in an area of Roker Beach outside of the pier arms and swim area of the event.
“Local Conservative Councillors want questions answered as to why the event organisers, including the Council, failed to undertake a process of routine testing and monitoring of Northumbrian Water discharge levels, leading up to the event.
“This collective failure by a number of agencies including Northumbrian Water, Sunderland Council and the Environment Agency is evidence that public health is being put at risk by statutory bodies charged with protecting the health of the public.
“I remain concerned for the health of all users of Sunderland’s beaches currently, as no assurances have been provided by the Council that daily testing is taking place of water quality, yet water sports and daily swimming continues.”
READ MORE: Sunderland Lib Dem group call for urgent council meeting on water safety
Earlier this week the Wearside Lib Dem cohort also called for an urgent council meeting on water safety.
Sunderland Council said;
"The City Council takes safeguarding public health and our duty of care to participants and everyone who lives and works in our city, and visits, extremely seriously.
"We are continuing to work with UKHSA North East's Health Protection team as they carry out epidemiological investigations to understand more about possible causes of illness in participants.
"At this stage we would not speculate until these investigations are complete."
READ MORE: Northumbrian Water among companies facing legal action over sewage discharges
In response to the legal action taken against Northumbrian Water, and 5 other water companies around the country, Water UK issued a statement.
Water UK said the accusations are "entirely without merit" and that 99% of sewage works are legally compliant.
Having reached out to Water UK for comment, a spokesperson said:
“This highly speculative claim is entirely without merit. The regulator has confirmed that over 99% of sewage works comply with their legal requirements. If companies fail to deliver on their commitments, then customer bills are already adjusted accordingly.”
Meanwhile, a comment from Northumbrian Water, said they had no additional comments to make following the statement from Water UK.