Southern Water investigate claims of sewage in Romsey Canal

Sarah Williamson from Awbridge, claims she keeps seeing raw sewage by Fishlake Meadows. Southern Water has said there are “no signs of pollution” but is monitoring.

Sarah, 55, alerted Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust, the Environment Agency and Southern Water of the issue.

Following an investigation, a spokesperson for Southern Water said: “We were concerned by reports of pollution at Romsey Canal. However, no signs of pollution were found but we will be monitoring this area closely.”

But Sarah, of Newtown Road, said: “It’s definitely raw sewage, it looks revolting."

“I’ve been noticing it for a month or so but it’s probably been going on longer. I’ve seen it in the river twice in two weeks.

“It’s dangerous from a health perspective as we could end up with waterborne diseases. Southern Water is being paid to process water but they don’t seem to be doing a good job.

“There shouldn’t be this wrinkle in regulations allowing sewage to be dumped in the waterways. Mismanagement of the operation has allowed this to happen. Legally it shouldn’t be okay.”

A spokesperson for the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust said: “We were dismayed to receive reports of a pollution event in the Romsey Barge Canal at Fishlake Meadows.

“It’s alleged that this is untreated sewage, which would include a chemical cocktail of pollutants and microplastics discharging into one of the south coast’s foremost freshwater nature reserves. Its exasperating to see something, which has become a frequent occurrence in our rivers and coast, polluting a globally renowned chalk river at an especially wildlife rich location.

“This incident undoubtedly is undermining the large canal enhancement project completed last year as well as the ongoing efforts from many local volunteers.

“This is a stark reminder that encroaching development, such as that adjacent to the canal has environmental limits and puts under increasing pressure on the sewage and drainage infrastructure at the expense of our best places for wildlife and people.”

An Environment Agency spokesperson said: “Pollution of our rivers and seas can have a devastating effect on human health, local biodiversity and our environment.

“Wherever we find evidence of unpermitted sewage releases, we will investigate and take action where necessary. There are strict penalties in place to impose on water companies where there have been unregulated permit breaches.

“If any member of the public suspects pollution we would ask them to report this to our pollution hotline on 0800 807060.”

Sarah is not alone with fellow Romsey residents posting photos of sewage and foamy deposits in the River Test on the Facebook group Romsey News and Information.

Heather Butler posted photos with the caption: “Some rather nasty effluent seen gushing out at Mill Lane and Rivermead close.”

On Monday, April 3 another Romsey News and Information member, Jonathan Butler, posted: “Nice to see the swans on the river Test near Burnt Mill yesterday. Shame they have to swim in the foamy stuff which regularly floats down the river. Not sure what it is or where it comes from but its building up quite a bit down by the grating at Rivermead Close. I have emailed Southern Water on their pollution hotline but no reply of course.”

National data recently revealed that last year there were 825 raw discharges a day into English rivers, more than ten times the number in 2016.