Surfers to stage ‘paddle out’ protest across UK over ‘broken’ water system

Surfers across the UK are preparing to hit the water in a nationwide protest against the deteriorating state of the country’s water sector.

Thousands of people, led by campaign group Surfers Against Sewage (SAS), will ‘row out’ on Saturday to demand an end to the private ownership model blamed for widespread industry failures.

The protests, which will take place at more than 50 locations along coasts, rivers and lakes, highlight decades of underinvestment in infrastructure in England and Wales since the privatization of water and sewerage authorities in 1989.

This neglect has led to widespread leaks, excessive sewage pollution, supply concerns and ultimately increased bills for consumers.

Among those expected to attend the Brighton Beach protests is Julie Maughan, whose daughter Heather Preen died of E.coli after visiting the Devon beach in 1999.

Ms Maughan said: “I lost my daughter Heather to dirty water and I will not stop fighting until no other family has to go through what I have.

“This Government had every opportunity to fix the broken water system but chose not to do so.

“People are getting seriously ill and families are afraid to go into the water.”

He will join actors from Channel 4 docudrama Dirty Business, which explores the failure of privatized water firms to protect the environment and customers.

Surfers taking part in action across the UK will protest the Water Reform Bill after it was announced in the King’s speech to Parliament on Wednesday.

Protesters said the bill intends to introduce measures to overhaul regulations but will also entrench the continuation of the privatization model in law.

Ministers have also considered a series of reforms to crack down on failing companies, while ruling out bringing them back into public ownership.

Giles Bristow, chief executive of Sas, said: “The Water Reform Bill is nothing more than a whitewash locking down a failing system where pollution, shareholder profits and consumer bills have soared for three decades.

“That’s why thousands of us are rowing in protest.

“Public support for privatized water has all but disappeared and the Government is burying its head in the sand as thousands take to the beaches to protest.”

The poll, commissioned by the campaign group ahead of the protests, found that only 7% of adults in England believe water companies should remain privately owned and be able to generate profits for shareholders.

Opinium’s survey of 2,000 adults found that 77% of respondents support a change in the operating model, while 35% support full public ownership.

The findings also show that 15% believe ministers are handling the water crisis effectively, while a quarter are considering not paying their bills because of their supplier’s actions.

Campaigners “rowing out” in Wales and Scotland on Saturday will call on their newly elected candidates to tackle the sewage crisis by giving more funding and more powers to regulators.

In Scotland, where only 30 per cent of the sewer network is monitored, protesters will demand 100 per cent transparency to protect water users.

Sas also calls for a world-leading, year-round water quality testing program in developed countries that protects people when and how they use water.