In light of the latest massive disruption in our water system, where almost 32,000 residents and businesses were without water over the whole bank holiday for up to six days, please sign this petition to force Southern Water, and all the water companies, to invest properly in our sewage treatment and infrastructures. 

Southern Water has discharged raw sewage into the sea and our rivers for a staggering 317,285 hours. Far from getting better, 2023 was 83% worse than in 2022. It's the equivalent of releasing sewage for more than 36 years on end.

This petition is nationally important, because all water companies are pumping sewage into our rivers and the sea, and none of them are investing in their decaying infrastructures. If we can bring Southern Water to book (the worst of them all), the other water companies will have to sit up and be counted.

We should all cancel our direct debits to Southern Water until they prove they will make things safer and better.  Water companies do not give a discount to their customers for paying by direct debit and this would be a massive inconvenience for them.  Of course, bills still need to be paid.

Over the years, Southern Water has consistently prioritised shareholder profits over the necessary investment in our decaying water infrastructure. This neglect has led to frequent service disruptions and inadequate support for those most in need.

I am a resident of St Leonards-On-Sea, UK, and like many others in my community, I have been let down by Southern Water. They advise vulnerable people to call their priority phone lines, but there is no answer. They advertise that they are delivering water to vulnerable people, but in many cases they are not.

The pumping of sewage off our beaches is horrifying and disgusting.  The photo is of raw sewage around the beach huts  The repeated flooding of our streets in heavy rainfall due to inadequate drainage causes major damage to homes and businesses.

According to the Consumer Council for Water (CCWater), Southern Water had the highest number of complaints per 10,000 connections amongst all water companies in England and Wales during 2019/20. This is a clear indication that their current approach is failing us - the customers who rely on them for an essential service.

We must demand better from Southern Water. We urge them to make significant investment into improving our local water infrastructure. Only then can we ensure reliable services for everyone.

Please join me in calling on Southern Water to put their customers before profits by signing this petition today and sharing it to all your family and friends around the country.