The new Government must seize the opportunity to reform the water industry and clean up Britain’s rivers, lakes and seas.

A failure to do so would be hugely damaging for Labour, which stood on a platform to hold the water companies to account by ensuring proper regulation of the industry.

Currently, Britain is facing an environmental crisis that could turn into a public health crisis as a result of the negligence displayed by water companies.

A letter to the Environment Secretary from the Ilkley Clean River Campaign says measures announced in the King’s Speech simply do not go far enough.

Stamford Bridge was named as an area in which Yorkshire Water discharged sewage into a site of special scientific interest. PIC: Simon Hulme

placeholder image — Stamford Bridge was named as an area in which Yorkshire Water discharged sewage into a site of special scientific interest. PIC: Simon Hulme

The Ilkley citizen scientists say the first step must be to ensure regulators are following the law and rightly warned that bill rises would not be acceptable. It is clear that the regulators are not singing from the same hymn sheet when it comes to implementing the law on sewage pollution.

There is also a sobering warning about attempts to stop bonuses with the campaigners saying measures won’t work as water firms are likely to just put up salaries or find other ways to syphon money to directors.

Time is also of the essence. As the longer the Government delays decisive action the more damage is done to the environment. It also means that water companies have more time to take money out of the system.

Private water firms have shamed themselves through their negligence and few people will forgive them. But people will also not forgive action that falls short of genuine reform that holds water companies accountable.