AN overhaul of the water industry has been demanded by West Somerset MP Rachel Gilmour after bathing waters off Dunster Beach and Blue Anchor West were ranked as poor.

Shocking new Government figures revealed swimming was ‘not advised’ at either beach, and the number of poor bathing waters in Westcountry had risen to its highest level since a new classification system was introduced in 2015.

Mrs Gilmour said Liberal Democrats had long spearheaded a campaign to clean up British seas and rivers.

The party wanted the water industry watchdog Ofwat scrapped and replaced with a new regulator with power to clamp down on polluting water companies, among which was Wessex Water.

An Environment Agency officer carries out water sampling at a beach. PHOTO: EA.
An Environment Agency officer carries out water sampling at a beach. PHOTO: EA. ( )

Mrs Gilmour said: “This is a complete scandal, and enough is enough.

“For far too long, Wessex Water has been pumping gallons of disgusting sewage into our rivers and beaches.

“It is completely inexcusable that local residents are not able to enjoy Dunster Beach and Blue Anchor West, and all while water companies such as Wessex Water are hammering people with sky high water bills.”

However, Wessex Water said a ‘multitude of factors’ contributed to bathing water classifications, including a wet summer leading to agricultural and urban run-off.

It said contamination also came from sea birds, particularly gulls, surface water drains, and other sources.

A Wessex Water spokesperson said: “We do not pump sewage into rivers or seas.

“Our licensed storm overflows, which discharge mostly rainwater, did not operate at Dunster during the last bathing season and did so twice at Blue Anchor due to heavy rainfall.

“Overflows operate to protect properties from flooding and have minimal impact on bathing water quality.

“But we are spending £3 million every month on schemes to improve them.

“This investment will more than double from 2025, if approved by Ofwat.

“More widely, we believe rain should be valued as a resource and used and returned to the environment close to where it falls.

“Alongside our ongoing work, this requires the political understanding and will to bring forward policies that that promote best practice in rainwater management at source.”