SOS Whitstable Petition hits incredible landmark

The SOS Whitstable petition to return the water industry to public ownership reached an incredible landmark on Wednesday, 26th March as it passed 250,000 signatures.

Following decades of underinvestment in essential infrastructure since the industry was privatised in 1989, the sewage pollution crisis has spiralled in England in recent years and Southern Water were recently fined £90m for illegal spills over a five year period. Meanwhile, the industry has paid private shareholders over £70 billion since the industry was sold off.

SOS Whitstable no longer believe that this dynamic is sustainable and view renationalisation as the only definitive way to stop water companies abusing the environment, public health and local economies in order to turn a profit.

Already ranking among the most-signed petitions in UK history, the group delivered it to the Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak, at Number 10 Downing Street in December after it had passed the 200,000 signature mark.

However, unfortunately a response was received a couple of months later from the Minister for Environmental Quality, Rebecca Pow, stating that the government has no plans to renationalise the industry. Our letter to them and the response can be read in full below.

The petition has taken off again recently, with sewage pollution firmly back in the news, especially following the government undermining a crucial vote on water quality last week which would have implemented mandatory targets to reduce pollution incidents as well as automatic fines for water companies.

At the time of writing, the petition has 270,000+ signatures and is steadily climb towards 300,000, which would be a sensational achievement and continue to pile pressure onto the government, regulators and water industry over this vital issue.

If you’d like to sign and share the petition, you can do you by clicking here.