Lib Dems expose massive scale of sewage dumping in Solihull

Liberal Democrats in Solihull have exposed the massive scale of raw sewage discharges into Solihull’s rivers, streams and waterways.  2024 was the worst year on record for sewage discharges, with 451 spills, totalling 4,384 hours of sewage discharges into Solihull’s rivers, streams and waterways.

The Liberal Democrats tabled a motion at Full Council on July 8^th, calling for action to tackle the sewage dumping crisis in Solihull.  Figures recently released by the Environment Agency that show there were 451 spills counted in the borough, which amounted to 4,384 hours of sewage discharges in local rivers and waterways in Solihull last year.

Speaking at the marathon council session, Councillor Ade Adeyemo, Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group, said the sewage dumping crisis was the worst it had ever been.

He went on to describe the “shocking statistics” and the massive scale of sewage dumping in Solihull:

• Malvern Park - 18 raw sewage discharges for over 80 hours into Alder Brook tributary;
   
• Olton - 25 raw sewage discharges for over 59 hours into River Blythe tributary;
   
• Hampton-in-Arden - 42 raw sewage discharges for over 549 hours into the River Blythe;
   
• Meriden Road - 77 raw sewage discharges for over 839 hours into River Blythe tributary;
   
• Dorridge – 69 raw sewage discharges from 2 storm overflows for 1,733 hours into the Grand Union Canal.
   

Presenting the Liberal Democrats’ motion, Councillor Ade Adeyemo said:

“Most people in Solihull are blissfully unaware of the damage that sewage dumping is doing to our rivers, waterways and our environment.  After all, we are nowhere near the sea and there are no major rivers in Solihull – that's not true.

“In this hot weather, so many people so many people, old and young, along with their pets, will be playing in local rivers and watercourses, unaware of the sheer volume of raw sewage that is discharged from pumping stations and sewer outfalls.

“We believe it is unacceptable that Water Companies continue to pay their executives millions of pounds in pay, pensions and bonuses while polluting continues.  We also believe that local residents should not bear the cost of Water Companies cleaning up their mess through increased water bills.

“Liberal Democrats are at the forefront of the campaign to tackle the sewage crisis.  Lib Dem Leader, Sir Ed Davey, has called for the water regulator OFWAT to be scrapped and a new Clean Water Authority to be introduced with significant powers to set binding targets for Water Companies to cut their pollution, and to revoke the licenses of those that fail to meet the targets.

“It's about time that Severn Trent Water clean up their act.”

The Liberal Democrats’ motion was referred for further consideration, with a ‘promise’ of a more detailed review by a combined scrutiny board which would also look into the impact on future developments.

Solihull and Meriden Liberal Democrats represent Liberal Democrat Members, Volunteers, Campaigners, Councillors and Candidates within the Local Authority area of Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council.

The Local Authority area straddles three separate parliamentary constituencies - the Solihull West and Shirley constituency, the Meriden and Solihull East constituency and the two Solihull wards in the Birmingham Hodge Hill and Solihull North constituency.

Liberal Democrats in Solihull and Meriden have a long record of action for the community, fighting hard for local residents on issues that are important to local residents.