This summer my kids took just one full dip in Kent’s waters.
On a balmy day near Broadstairs we refloated our lockdown-purchased paddleboards and sailed out to sea, confident that a week of glorious weather seeing-out the summer holidays also marked us safe from sewage.
The one-time only summer event wasn’t solely down to water quality of course – other commitments also got in our way – but over the last few years confidence in allowing our offspring to submerge themselves in England’s waters has steadily waned somewhat.
Despite the data, the apps and the web warnings that indicate when it’s safe to go back in the waves – the thought of them slurping sea water is something I’ve become less than comfortable with.
It’s not surprising that the Local Government Association says 70% of ‘coastal councils’ have reported lost tourism because deteriorating water quality and sewage issues are deterring visitors.
When the Oxford and Cambridge Boat Race competitors were warned to stay out of the Thames in March, it wasn’t the tourism advert London perhaps planned to have beamed around the world.
It’s also an issue now weighing heavily on the minds of those at Folkestone and Hythe council, which fears that four out of its six bathing waters could be designated ‘poor’ by next year.
And if further proof was needed about the poor water quality in our ecosystems – the Environment Agency also said on Monday that England’s Atlantic salmon stocks have sunk to their lowest numbers on record with pollution in our rivers taking the blame.
Yet, with all of those problems ever present, a staggering £157 million has now got to be handed back to water customers next year because of firms’ poor performance.
Ironically, while water bills are expected to rise by 21% over the next five years – money companies insist they must have to address the well-advertised problems – a significant chunk of cash must in turn now be refunded in rebates.
The regulator says water firms have fallen ‘further behind’ on key targets relating to leaks, pollution and customer satisfaction.
It’s a bizarre scenario that feels somewhat like robbing Peter to pay Paul – or one step forward and two steps back in unpicking problems across the water sector.
And yet, while the cash pots are passed from pillar to post, and arguments about investment continue, stories about the poor state of our waterways continue to flood in and there’s little sign that anyone has the answers to stem the tide.
