Bembridge residents and businesses alike are outraged that Southern Water plans to open a combined sewage overflow pipe (CSO) on Silver Sands Beach at the point in Bembridge.  This allows untreated sewage to be well above the low tide mark.  This pipe  will create serious public health and environmental dangers such as E. Coli and enterococci for anyone who uses the beach for swimming, paddling or water sports as well as risks to people just sunbathing and picnicking.  This will reduce public confidence in using Bembridge beach and will effect residents and local businesses dependent on tourism. 

A CSO is a pipe that carries both rain water and raw sewage and discharges directly into seas or rivers.  It is meant to only be used in times of extreme weather events.  However, we know that they are commonly used outside of these times. There has been a huge increase in local sewage discharges due to increased housing and increased periods of extreme rainfall due to climate change.  Once the pipe is in use, it will be frequently discharging sewage just like the other CSOs around the island.  

This pipe has already been given permission to go ahead based, we believe on misleading information from Southern Water. We need to act now to stop it!

Andrew Holman from Harbour Farm Nature Group says ”It seems inconceivable that Southern Water are planning to install what is, in effect, a new sewage outfall straight onto one of the finest holiday beaches on the Isle of Wight. This is an area that is meant to have the highest of protections. Offshore are rare seagrass meadows that play such an important part in our ecology. They are home to many species including seahorses. Yet they are now going to be further endangered by this crazy proposal." 

Please sign this petition!