Like many others in Portsmouth we’re deeply concerned by sewage discharge into our area’s bathing waters and the recent ‘abnormal events’ reported by the Environment Agency preventing many enjoying our city’s natural environment.

Whilst many of us can speak to the local water company about our concerns, complain on social media or say things must change, few of us have the opportunity to vote for it by passing new laws.

However tonight MPs do have the opportunity to finally end sewage pollution by supporting an amendment to the government’s Environment Bill. 

This amendment, backed by a number of national charities and thousands of people nation-wide and voted on in the House of Lords, would place a legal duty on water companies to take all reasonable steps to ensure untreated sewage is not discharged from storm overflows.

Whilst recent government changes to the Bill will help tackle discharges, they alone don’t deliver the urgent action needed to end sewage pollution.

Portsmouth South MP Stephen Morgan has already campaigned for a Sewage Bill and has publicly backed Amendment 45. Now we’re calling on fellow Portsmouth MP Penny Mordaunt to do the same.

Portsmouth people are calling on Penny: ‘To show leadership locally and nationally by voting for amendment 45 ending sewage discharge into our seas, rivers and waterways when the Bill returns to the Commons this week. It is time to ensure a legal duty not to pollute makes it into the Act. We urge you to make that happen for the people of Portsmouth and our city’s precious environment’.