Council Anger Over Southern Water’s Performance

The leader of Folkestone & Hythe District Council has responded angrily after two reports revealed the district’s wastewater company is the most complained about in the country.

Jim Martin says that the poor performance is the last straw in his ongoing concern about Southern Water’s performance and he is worried that the company may also be failing to adequately protect the district’s coastal waters.

Following last week’s publication of the damning report by the water industry’s customer watchdog, the Consumer Council for Water, Cllr Martin is seeking an urgent meeting with Southern Water bosses.

The council leader explained:

“This terrible report follows that from Ofwat describing the company’s performance as lagging. To have the highest number of telephone complaints and second highest written complaints is insulting to our residents who depend on Southern Water to provide an essential service.

“I am also extremely concerned that the company is not demonstrating that it is doing enough to protect our coastal waters from wastewater spills.

“We already have a poor rating for St Mary’s Bay following testing by the Environment Agency. To be perfectly honest I await ratings for other nearby bathing water with some trepidation.

“Our residents deserve better for the amount that they are being charged by this company and I shall be making my view very plain to those in charge.”

Cllr Martin added that he remained unconvinced by Southern Water’s explanation that the company launched a turnaround plan in April – after the period covered by the watchdog’s report.

Deputy council leader Tim Prater added:

"St Mary's Bay has one of the best sandy beaches in the district. Local residents need to know WHY they have poor sea water quality, WHAT is being down to put it right, and HOW LONG they need to wait to see results. And frankly residents in Dymchurch, Littlestone and along the coast also need reassurance that Southern Water are on top of this issue, and its not going to spread.

"Many of us currently have very little confidence in either Southern Water or their 'long term investment plans' - that need to be giving us that confidence through visble and timetabled action."

Southern Water supplies wastewater services e.g. sewerage, for the Folkestone & Hythe district and the rest of Kent.