Northumbrian Water should be included in new bonus ban after death and illnesses of dogs in Seaburn

Lib Dems in Sunderland are urging the Labour Government to ban bonuses from being awarded to Northumbrian Water bosses after tonnes of sewage was dumped and after the death and illness of dogs being walked in an area under investigation for sewage leaks.

Campaigners in Sunderland are calling on the Government to extend a new ban on water company bonuses introduced today (06 June) to Northumbrian Water.

The Water (Special Measures) Act comes into force today and sees six water companies across the UK being banned from giving senior executives bonuses – but Northumbrian Water isn’t one of them.

Lib Dem councillors in Sunderland say the bonus ban needs to include Northumbrian Water as nearly 1 million tonnes of sewage and wastewater was dumped into the sea in the Sunderland and Whitburn areas in the last year alone – and following one death and several serious illnesses of dogs being walked in Cut Throat Dene in Seaburn.

Cut Throat Dene was highlighted by a local vet as a cause for concern. A Northumbrian Water and Environment Agency investigation showed that sewage had been entering the stream where dogs have fallen ill.

Earlier this week Ofwat ruled that Northumbrian Water would have to spend £15.7m to pay for improvements to its network and the environment.

Commenting, Liberal Democrat councillor for Fulwell and Seaburn Malcolm Bond said:

“It is an insult that Northumbrian Water isn’t on the list of companies where big bonuses are being banned for company bosses.

“Water bills are soaring for local people at the same time Northumbrian Water has dumped hundreds of thousands of tonnes of raw human sewage and wastewater on our beautiful coastline and bathing beaches.

“Following Cut Throat Dene being highlighted as a potential problem because one young and otherwise healthy golden retriever had died and several had become seriously ill after being exercised there, an investigation by the Environmental Agency and Northumbrian Water showed wastewater had been entering the stream. Dogs needed extensive veterinary care and the owners suffered considerable emotional distress. Let’s remember Cut Throat Dene leads directly onto Seaburn Beach - a designated bathing area.

“This weeks ‘fine’ by Ofwat is not before time – but let’s face it, this is money that the company should have been investing in improving their network and reducing sewage spills anyway, instead of giving massive dividends to foreign owners and bumper packages to fat cat executives.

“It is time the Labour Government stepped in and said enough is enough.”