Water quality is vastly improving. We should expect it to continue to improve as our systems become more efficient and effective.
Just 60 years ago, untreated sewage entered our water in an almost constant stream. That was grim but we can be confident that the situation today is enormously different.
As our monitoring and detection systems become more sophisticated, we are becoming increasingly aware of longstanding issues and more able to respond effectively.
Major investments in the entire water treatment system, from source to sea, are welcomed by all.
In December, I visited the large Wastewater Treatment Works in Horsham to view their £28 million pound upgrades to ensure the safe disposal of treated wastewater.
Everyone in a community suffers when unacceptable waste is found along the beach and when sensitive river environments are poisoned by untreated discharges from main drains. Preventing unnecessary sewage discharge into our open waters through increased treatment and decreased overflow is a priority for all.
Regulator Ofwat is to consult later this year on whether plans to ban bonuses for Water Company bosses could be introduced.
I believe that Southern Water's previous management knowingly did things that were wrong. I believe that the present management does not. We ought to trust the new regime but we must also hold them to their own expectations as well as to our own.
Fixing leaks must be the top priority of all water companies, not rewarding boardroom failure.
We should rightly expect water quality to be on a sustained path to improvement as our systems become more efficient and effective.
The quality of our water matters greatly not least to our seaside economy which relies greatly on our high-quality beaches and bathing waters.
