Image: A beach cleaning bag with the Surfers Against Sewage logo, lying on a sandy beach. Image by Surfing Croyde / Unsplash

Surfers Against Sewage (SAS) have released the results of a representative poll conducted on adults in England and found “52% of those surveyed don’t trust the Government to put in place the necessary reforms to end sewage pollution”. The research also found that just 16% believe that the current privatised model of the water industry is capable of ending sewage pollution and spills, without the need for reform.

Ahead of the publication of the Independent Water Commission’s final report, expected before Parliament rises for recess on 22 July, campaigners are asking the Commission and its chair, Sir Jon Cunliffe, to reconsider its plans. Surfers Against Sewage are calling for the final report to:

• Restructure water companies to operate for public good, not private profit. Where a company is failing, the Government must use powers like Special Administration to intervene
• Protect public and environmental health by securing benign sources of investment and linking performance with returns
• Democratise decision-making with customers, environmentalists and local government balancing interests on water company boards
• Strengthen independent regulators, cash-strapped by years of under-funding leaving them unable to prosecute polluters at scale
• Mandate public oversight of local and regional water company planning, spending and performance, and integrate with a national urgent action plan.