Anti-sewage activists set to protest on Hoe

WATER BOSSES TOLD TO CLEAN UP THEIR ACT

- CARL EVE

HUNDREDS of sewage activists are set to take to the water off Plymouth Hoe this morning.

Members of Surfers Against Sewage [SAS] - who have long battled the water companies and councils to clean up the nation’s beaches and waterways - are urging the Plymouth community and concerned citizens to get behind their “Paddle Out Protest”.

SAS - which is holding a national protest day with similar actions around the entire country - said: “The aim is to highlight the urgent need for action against sewage pollution in UK waters, particularly in the Southwest.

“The picturesque waters of Plymouth Sound and the surrounding South West region have been marred by increasing instances of sewage discharges.”

The protest group noted how during 2023, in the South West Water region alone, there were 58,249 overflows lasting a combined duration of 530,736 hours.

They claimed that the data provided by SWW revealed an alarming trend in the region, with significant sewage spills occurring repeatedly, affecting the water quality and marine life.