With weeks to go until Islanders head to the polls, MP hopefuls standing in the East constituency have been discussing how they would tackle the problem of sewage releases.

There were thousands of hours of releases off the coast last year, including in Cowes which saw 5,000 hours of discharges.

In 120 words, the County Press asked candidates what they would do about it.

Here's what they told us...

For Island Labour, Emily Brothers said: "The Conservatives have wilfully ignored corruption at the heart of the water industry. The result is stinking, toxic sewage destroying our countryside and coastline, trashing nature, damaging tourism and putting our health at risk. There are particular concerns for people swimming, surfing and children playing.

"Labour will put failing water companies under “special measures” to force them to clean up their toxic mess. We will strengthen regulation with powers to stop large bonuses.

"Labour will end self-monitoring and force all companies to monitor every single water outlet so companies can no longer cover up illegal sewage dumping.

"Water bosses who continue to oversee law-breaking will face criminal charges. We will introduce severe and automatic fines for illegal sewage discharges."

Independent candidate, David Groocock said: "Sewage pollution another key pledge by me, the excuses from the water companies keep coming climate change being one of them, the truth is that underinvestment over the past 24 years has led us to more and more sewage being pumped back into our rivers and sea. 

"Operation sea clean now over 30 years ago was the last major investment made here on the Island. 

"Renationalising the water companies may be the best way forward, this would stop the vast profits made over a period of years going back to Chief Executives Pay, Golden Handshakes, Pensions and dividends to Shareholders, instead all revenue raised would go back to major investments in the Sewage System."

Isle of Wight Liberal Democrats' Michael Lilley said: "The fact is that on the Island there is an antiquated single drain system that means when there is torrential rain, surface water simply overflows into the sewage system and the pumping stations cannot pump quickly enough to the treatment centre and sewage is then discharged into the sea.

"This can be prevented by diverting surface water by having water butts on every Island building and water retention schemes such as Ryde High Street alongside increasing sewage pumping flows.

"I have been working with Surfers against Sewage and Southern Water in developing a strategy and Island Lib Dems successfully got IW Council cross party support to stop any sewage discharges into the sea by 2030 with the necessary investment needed."

Vix Lowthion, of the Isle of Wight Green Party, said: "Privatisation of our water companies has failed.

"The regulator – OFWAT – has failed. And now the infrastructure – the pipes, the drains – have failed.

"Green MPs would vote to take these companies back into public ownership, where investment could reduce waste and sewage discharges.

"But this doesn’t mean that as your MP I would only pursue nationalisation. There are many other actions to take – such as tougher regulation and much higher fines, partnerships with local authorities and mitigations in terms of planning and urban landscape.  

"Practical solutions to manage surface water better, including SUDS schemes in our towns and water butts in our gardens, can also limit the extent of the problems."

Sarah Morris, of Reform UK, said: "We cannot just fine these companies for allowing sewage to be pumped into our seas and rivers, as these fines only end up on our bills. Those making these bad decisions regarding our health and environment need to be held personally accountable.

"If they faced a proper punishment such as prison, I believe the deterrent would make them look at alternative methods of dealing with excess rain.

"They need to invest in reservoirs, that would both hold flood water in the winter and retain precious water in the summer so we don’t end up with hose pipe bans."

Joe Robertson, of the Isle of Wight Conservative Party, said: "All sewage discharges into the sea are unacceptable. Most of the overflows take place when storm water enters the combined sewage system and overwhelms it.

"We need to do more to stop rainwater run-off. Southern Water have been rolling out their slow-release water butt scheme but it is taking too long to implement.

"The council also needs to do more. I recently voted for the cross-party motion for zero sewage discharges and the Council needs to follow through, starting with housing and planning rules.

"If elected MP, I will work with the Council, Southern, Water and the Environment Agency to make sure they take collective responsibility, rather than blame each other."

  • For Isle of Wight West: Cameron Palin, Green Party; Ian Pickering, Reform UK; Richard Quigley, Labour; Bob Seely, Conservative; Nick Stuart, Liberal Democrat, Rachel Thacker, ADF.