Southern Water bosses to be quizzed in Chichester over sewage and housing

Senior representatives from the water company, along with the Environment Agency, Ofwat, and Natural England have been invited to Chichester District Council’s overview and scrutiny committee on January 17.

The meeting comes following ‘serious problems’ being reported by residents and anger over sewage releases along the coast.

Chair of the committee, cllr Clare Apel, said that following recent heavy rains there had been reports of sewage flowing down a residential street and the council is committed to holding Southern Water to account.

"Does Southern Water think that is acceptable? It can’t be in 2022 or 2023. We are absolutely appalled that the Harbour, that is a SSSI (Site of Special Scientific Interest) and one of the most protected environments in the world, is being damaged by raw sewage.

"Then we have got the issue of endless houses being built without proper infrastructure. Somebody has got to be responsible for this.”

Cllr Apel added that residents throughout the district are ‘incredibly angry’.

A spokesperson for Chichester District Council said: “We have invited senior representatives from Southern Water, the Environment Agency; Ofwat and Natural England to the council’s Overview and Scrutiny Committee which will take place on January 17. Southern Water have confirmed that they will be attending.

“Committee members are well aware of the serious problems that some of the residents that they represent have experienced. This, combined with the protests that have taken place recently by residents concerned about water quality in the area, mean that members of the committee would welcome the opportunity to discuss a number of important issues with the invited organisations.

"These include the recent flooding and associated drain surcharging; sewage and subsequent discharge into the harbour and water courses; the water quality of Chichester Harbour and responses to planning applications including delays in connectivity.”

Southern Water has been approached for comment.