Malton MP backing sewage pollution Bill to keep area’s rivers clean

The Bill will help deliver cleaner water in his constituency’s rivers and waterways, including River Foss to Farlington Beck, the Gypsey Race, the River Derwent from Kirkham to the North Sea, Hodge Beck to the River Dove and Marrs Beck to Holbeck.

The Sewage (Inland Waters) Bill 2019-21 was introduced by Ludlow MP Philip Dunne and has its second reading in the House of Commons on Friday, November 13.

The Bill places a duty on water companies to ensure that untreated sewage is not discharged into rivers and other inland waters.

It proposes several other measures, including:

○ Improving transparency and monitoring of the impact of spillages on water quality;

○ Separating surface and foul water drainage systems from new infrastructure and housing development;

○ Encouraging nature-based solutions for wastewater treatment;

○ Requiring water meters for all homes being leased, rented or sold from 2025;

○ Prohibiting use of plastic in flushable products;

○ Promoting improvements in bathing water standards for inland waters and rivers.

The Bill already enjoys support from a huge range of organisations including The Rivers Trust, The Angling Trust, Surfers Against Sewage, Wildlife Trusts, Wildlife and Countryside Link, the RSPB, Salmon and Trout Conservation and the Institute of Fisheries Management.

Mr Hollinrake said: “I know how important our many rivers are to Malton residents, for the health of people who use our rivers for recreation and wellbeing, and as vital habitats for wildlife.

“In the last year alone there were 227 sewer storm overflows in the constituency. This is totally unacceptable.”