Liberal Democrat analysis: 34% increase in sewage dumping in Guildford’s Waterways. 

The Liberal Democrats’ breakdown of the Environment Agency’s data reveals the latest sewage dumping figures specifically for the Guildford constituency. 

In 2023 Thames Water dumped sewage 210 times in 2023, for a total of 1,372 hours, in the waterways of Guildford and our villages. 

Compared to 2022, this represents:  

• 34% increase in the number of sewage spills  
• 32% increase in the number of hours of sewage pollution 

Zöe Franklin said: “This is sickening. Thames Water dumped raw sewage in our waterways for the equivalent of nearly two whole months last year, all on the Conservatives’ watch. 

“The Liberal Democrats recently wanted an amendment to the Criminal Justice Bill, to make senior water company bosses criminally liable for repeated failures. Guildford’s Conservative MP once again sided with the privatised water companies and voted against our proposal. And here is yet another example of the appalling Conservative legacy she contributed to.”

The Liberal Democrats have called for a new protected status for local rivers and marine protected areas. 

A new Blue Flag status for rivers will be included in the party’s general election manifesto. This would set legally binding targets to prevent sewage dumping in those sites, giving special protected status for swimmers and wildlife.  

Zöe Franklin added: “This scandalous environmental vandalism must end now. Guildford and our villages need a true local champion who will fight for what is right. Guildford has been my home for 25 years and I stand ready to be the strong local champion we so desperately need.”