Southern Water not fit for purpose, say Lib Dems

Southern Water not fit for purpose, say Lib Dems

Liberal Democrat parliamentary candidate Liz Jarvis has slammed Southern Water after thousands of homes across Eastleigh, Southampton and Winchester were left without water due to an issue at the Otterbourne supply works.

Liz Jarvis commented: “This is the second incident in two months where residents in Eastleigh have been left without a water supply and it's simply not good enough.

“Before Christmas thousands of households were left without water for days.

“Southern Water have polluted our rivers and seas, failed to fix leaks resulting in the hosepipe ban, and now they are failing to provide a consistent water supply. Yet meanwhile their bosses have continued to receive eye-watering bonuses. The whole thing stinks. Serious questions need to be asked about what is going on at Southern Water. It's time for Southern Water's licence to be revoked.”

Liberal Democrats are also calling for Ofwat, the Government water regulator, to be scrapped and replaced with a tough independent regulator to protect rivers and beaches in Hampshire from sewage dumping.

Earlier this month the Government caved into the Liberal Democrat campaign to end sewage discharge into rivers, by accepting the party's amendment which stops taxpayers money going to water companies unless the discharges stop.