Wessex water protests
Extinction Rebellion Wimborne’s Pink Rebels have been protesting regularly against Wessex Water’s discharge of raw sewage into waterways and the sea - and in particular the River Stour - since December 2020.
In 2023 we staged Wimborne’s first ever Human Poo Chain and sang some very silly poo songs.
Campaigners and members of the public held placards with synonyms for the word “poo” such as “poop”, “plops”, “turds”, “doo-doo”, “bowel movements”, and “big jobs”.
WESSEX WATER, STOP SEWAGE POLLUTION NOW
Wessex Water dumped sewage in the Stour 893 times for 9634 hours in 2023 - a huge increase on 2022.
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And Wessex Water dumped raw sewage into rivers, seas and bathing areas 41,453 times in 2023 - an increase on 2022.
Water companies in England and Wales dumped raw sewage into rivers at least 582,000 times in 2023 lasting 4,693,170 hours. Only 14% of English rivers are of good ecological standard
Wessex Water pay billions to shareholders.
£4.25 billion in dividends since privatisation. Raw sewage is dumped because water companies haven’t updated the ageing sewage network. Instead they pay billions to shareholders and big bonuses to directors and managers.
Wessex Water has immense debts totalling £2.6 billion. 19% of the money we pay Wessex Water is used to service their debts.
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Join us.
Wear a pink hazmat, hand out leaflets, outreach to the public … or help behind the scenes. We have roles for everyone.
