Deben Ward, near Woodbridge, councillor James Mallinder calls on East Suffolk Council for urgent action over water quality in River Deben and River Waveney
A Suffolk councillor has said ‘enough is enough’ after he demanded urgent action on the water quality of two rivers in the county.
Cllr James Mallinder, who represents Deben Ward, east of Woodbridge, has called on Cllr Caroline Topping, the authority’s leader, to tackle issues over the River Deben and River Waveney.
He felt both did not meet minimum standards for health and river quality – which is causing concern in the district, and said he has noticed water degradation.
In response, Cllr Topping said there was a problem with a ‘chronic lack of investment’ which allows the ‘awful’ discharge to continue and pledged to lobby water companies and the Government to do more. Meanwhile, Anglian Water said it remains committed to minimising harm to rivers.
Cllr Mallinder, a Conservative, said: “Rivers are the backbone that run through east Suffolk, not only supporting a huge amount of unique biodiversity, but are where our residents and visitors want to enjoy and engage with nature.
“Poor water quality is detrimental to all our lives and, on behalf of residents, I say enough is enough, we need to see urgent action.”
Cllr Mallinder said the previous administration worked with Anglian Water to improve river health.
But, he felt a wider discussion was needed into the firm’s investment in the drainage system across east Suffolk.
“It is of utmost importance that this established relationship continues and we need to see urgent changes into how east Suffolk functions,” he said.
Cllr Mallinder suggested a forum be created between stakeholders, Suffolk County Council, the various town councils, Anglian Water and landowners.
He noted environmental issues were always his number one issue, and he wished this to continue within the district.
He said: “As a ward member which includes the River Deben as a boundary I can clearly see the deterioration in water quality and the damage this causes to our precious nature and biodiversity
“As a local environmentalist, I can’t sit back and do nothing. Individual action can only go so far, so I plead with the new administration in east Suffolk to continue focusing on water quality and support my efforts in making sure this is improved without further delay.
“Safe-guarding our landscape for residents, visitors and future generations – environmental issues should be the priority of the council and urgent action is required.”
He said the environment shouldn’t be regarded as an external issue, but should be considered by the authority on the same level as potential financial impacts or impact to residents.
It should also govern how lives are lived, he noted.
Cllr Mallinder added: “I ask Cllr Topping and her administration to work with me and start making much needed changes. It is clear from world events this summer, our focus is not nearly enough, and action is urgently needed now and we all need to play our part .
“We are the first generation to understand the problem but it is clearly seen we are likely to be the last to solve the problems.
“I cannot sit back and allow our environment, nature and how we live our lives deteriorate any further and that’s why I will continue to demand action, lobby hard for changes and push for urgent improvements in how we are governed, from Parliament to local councils.”
Cllr Caroline Topping, the leader of East Suffolk Council and a member of the Green Party, said she was pleased Cllr Mallinder felt as strongly about the issues as the rest of the administration does.
Many members of the council previously campaigned for improvements in the two rivers, she noted.
Cllr Topping added: “The county’s GLI Group publicly raised concerns earlier this year that water companies are not doing enough to stem the tide of sewage, despite enjoying huge profits.
“There is a fundamental problem with a chronic lack of investment that allows this awful discharge to continue, and we are determined to put pressure on both the water companies and the Government to do more.
“Anglian Water has accepted our invitation to an informal Cabinet meeting next week to present their plans and update us on the progress they are making. We also continue to lobby Secretary of State for the Environment, Therese Coffey, also the local MP, for firmer action to be taken.
“We trust that Cllr Mallinder, as a local Conservative, is also discussing this matter with Dr Coffey and we also invite him to work with the new Administration at East Suffolk in calling for greater and far speedier improvements to a dire situation.”
A spokeswoman for Anglian Water said the firm shared its customers’ desire to make waterways healthier.
Rivers are vital for community recreation and wellbeing – and should be beautiful and rich in nature, she said.
Anglian Water has a Get River Positive campaign, which has seen it commit to ensure storm overflows, sewage treatment and abstraction do not harm rivers.
The spokeswoman added: “We are collaborating closely with local river and wild swimming groups to support initiatives for bathing water designation, with a particular focus on the River Deben and River Waveney.
“Our representatives from the campaign are maintaining regular communication with the respective river groups for the Deben and River Waveney.
“In our unwavering commitment to responsible environmental stewardship, we collaborate closely with the Environment Agency, which regularly monitor rivers, lakes and stream at over 7,000 locations in the UK.
“As a part of the Get River Positive initiative, we have also developed a storm overflow map, presenting the data we collect concerning our water recycling network and the ongoing improvements we are implementing.”
