Lib Dems to clamp down on sewage dumping and protect our waterways
The Liberal Democrats have announced plans to increase the number of water inspections after sewage was dumped 1,736 times in Taunton Deane's waterways last year.
The party has pledged £10 million per year to deliver new water quality inspectors, as part of an ambition to recruit at least one hundred new 'sewage-busters'.
The new water quality inspectors would work for the party’s new water regulator, the Clean Water Authority, giving it the capacity to deliver unannounced inspections, ensuring water firms cannot cover up pollution.
Under the party’s plans, the water regulator Ofwat would be replaced with a new Clean Water Authority which would take on relevant powers to inspect and clean up waterways in England from the Environment Agency.
Gideon Amos, the Lib Dem Parliamentary candidate for Taunton and Wellington said: "It is a scandal that the Conservative party has allowed water firms to mark their own homework and waterways across Taunton and Wellington have suffered as a result.
"While I’m delighted the application I submitted with the Friends of my local park for the Tone in Taunton won Bathing Water status, we are horrified at the data that’s been revealed as a result about its cleanliness.
"Our manifesto commits to a new wave of sewage busters who will ensure no water company gets away with polluting our treasured rivers, lakes and coastlines.
"Liberal Democrats are committed to clamping down on sewage dumping and putting a stop to this dreadful scandal."