Southern Water’s leadership confronted pointed inquiries from local residents during a densely populated public assembly, with the focus firmly on standards of water quality.
The April 9 gathering was organised and presided over by local MP Alison Griffiths, covering the constituencies of Bognor Regis and Littlehampton, creating a forum where senior figures from Southern Water met face-to-face with community members to examine worries surrounding wastewater pollution and the condition of designated bathing areas.
Southern Water’s Chief Executive Lawrence Gosden attended the proceedings, together with senior representatives from both his organisation and the Environment Agency.
Due to what was described as unprecedented interest, the St Mary’s Centre venue in Felpham reached full occupancy.
Attendees brought up multiple concerns, including persistent poor ratings for bathing water quality at Bognor Regis (Aldwick) and more recent declines at Bognor Regis East; sources of contamination encompassing sewage discharges, storm overflows and incorrect plumbing connections; the scope and timeline of necessary investment to improve water standards; calls for better surveillance, transparency and immediate reporting on progress; as well as responsibility and meaningful consultation with local communities and their elected representatives.
The discussion additionally covered aspirations for achieving good or excellent classifications at every designated bathing water site throughout the constituency, alongside pinpointing specific actions required to realise this objective.
Following the meeting, Ms Griffiths said the coastal environment constitutes a crucial element of life in Bognor Regis and Littlehampton, and residents deserve confidence in the safety and cleanliness of local waters.
She highlighted that it was essential for Southern Water’s Chief Executive and senior management to hear directly from community members. The strength of feeling expressed in the hall showed just how much this issue matters to local people.
Local residents have grown weary of sewage polluting rivers and seas. After prolonged periods of repeated shortcomings, everyone is looking for tangible action. Southern Water understood this message clearly.
She thanked Lawrence for his readiness to participate and welcomed his commitment to return to meet with residents in six months’ time. Visible progress is non-negotiable, and Southern Water can only restore faith by achieving concrete results.
She will maintain pressure on Southern Water, along with central government and the Environment Agency, to accelerate their plans for improving water quality across Bognor Regis and Littlehampton.
Local people are not asking for anything unreasonable. They want clear information, proper investment, and reassurance that past errors will not happen again. These are legitimate expectations, and she will continue championing them.
Subsequently, Lawrence Gosden, Southern Water’s Chief Executive, said he thanked Alison Griffiths MP for arranging the public meeting and giving him the opportunity to listen directly to her constituents.
He accepted complete personal responsibility for overhauling Southern Water, regaining customer confidence, and proving their commitment to protecting the environment. This responsibility underlies their pledge of more than £50 million for Bognor Regis, Littlehampton and surrounding areas to cut storm overflows, improve water quality and upgrade their network.
He looked forward to resuming this conversation later in the year.