- The Conservative introduced the monitoring that has enabled us to measure and recognise the issues with sewage. They also introduced unlimited fines for harm to the environment so we can go after the companies that are polluting our waterways.
- There is now a UK Plan to drive £60 billion capital investment over the next 25 years - the largest infrastructure programme in water company history. This means we have an outline strategy but we need to ensure it gets delivered and, where needed, expedited - this is a risk owing to the financial position of some companies. There is infrastructure in both Dorking and Horley that need upgrading ASAP. I will be fighting hard to make sure a significant lump of money comes to Dorking & Horley to stop the sewage polluting the River Mole and sort out our sewage treatment facilities.
- The utility companies need to be held to account more and this is not just through punishment but through active support and helping them upgrade our systems so we are fit for purpose. I believe local government has a key role in this as they are the ones closer to the problems, dealing with new homes being built and able to record where there are both sewage leaks and general water leaks and surface water issues. The county council is the body which people turn to when there is flooding and is also responsible for implementing the new Sustainable Drainage Systems which are designed to manage stormwater locally (as close its source as possible), to mimic natural drainage and encourage its infiltration, attenuation and passive treatment.
- That is why I have been instrumental in setting up a Utility Task Group at Surrey County Council which can build the relationship with these companies, help prioritise work and deliver better transparency on what they are doing. These sorts of partnership should be formalised and utility companies should be reporting to the county council on what work they have done and what work they plan to do.
- I want to see a duty for water companies to face the public and set out their plans at regular intervals. The County Council could facilitate this and ensure it happens and by enabling stakeholders to scrutinise the plans and programmes in place, the companies can be held to account by the customer.
- I have also sought to formal partnerships with some of our water companies to set the pace on this and give an example on how best practice can work. We can clearly set out what we need in our area and have direct conversations about how it will be delivered.
- I am also working at SCC and the Environment Agency to implement natural flood risk management schemes that can slow the flow of water and help take out pollution.
- I think it is worth acknowledging that whilst we have been let down in many ways by water companies there is also some good working going on. Some of the companies I am working with are keen to help us with our work on enhancing biodiversity and nature recovery as they are all big land owners and some of them have been actively working to stop water leakage from our homes and on our highways. It all comes back to collaboration and accountability and of course real delivery.
- Those who promise to nationalise water companies are misleading people into thinking it is that easy. It would come at a cost of billions for the taxpayer and would take years. The civil service is not likely to run it much better. What we need is the current companies to invest and for there to be robust scrutiny but also significant penalties for failing to deliver.