Strengthening Southend’s voice on pollution, flooding and water quality
At a Glance
- Community-led response to sewage pollution and flooding
- £104 million investment secured for Southend
- Creation of Waterwatch Southend Community Committee
- Long-term accountability beyond political cycles
SOUTHEND has always been at its best when the community comes together and nowhere has this been clearer than in the response to long-standing concerns about sewage pollution, flooding and water quality.
In October 2021, Southend suffered a major sewage incident that led to beach closures and serious concern. Residents, swimmers, campaigners and businesses wanted the same thing: clearer information, accountability and meaningful action.
This was why the Southend Water Summits were created – not as a political exercise, but as a public forum where residents could hold polluters to account. The Summits quickly became a model of constructive, community-led engagement and were instrumental in securing significant commitments for our city.
Three major breakthroughs for Southend
At the second Summit in July 2023, Anglian Water announced their ambition for Southend to become an international exemplar for surface-water management – now embedded in their plan for 2025–2030 – and committed to a 75% reduction in storm overflow use by 2030, five years ahead of the national target.
At the third Summit in October 2023, this ambition was matched with a £104 million investment, £90 million to reduce sewage spills and £14 million to address flooding hotspots.
A new chapter: The Waterwatch Southend Community Committee
The success of the Summits showed the need for a permanent, independent, community-led body to continue this work. Local campaigner Daniella Boon responded by founding Waterwatch UK, a national movement for water justice beginning here in Southend.
Last month, residents elected the first Waterwatch Southend Community Committee: Andrew Hall, Kim Hall, Marcelle Baum, Naomi Cox, Peter Lovett, William Taylor and myself as Chair, with two business representatives to follow.
The Committee will run the Summits, ensuring that progress remains structured, accountable and resilient beyond any political cycle.
Delivering for the future
As Anglian Water delivers its Advanced WINEP and the £104 million investment programme, Southend has a real opportunity to secure lasting improvements. Two Committee members must sit on the Council’s WINEP steering group to monitor delivery and ensure that the £14 million allocated to named projects goes where it should.
Southend has already proved that a community-led approach can deliver results. With this new Committee, we can ensure that every promised improvement is delivered in full.
Our coastline is the heart of our city. Protecting it is a shared responsibility, and a shared opportunity. Our city deserves nothing less.
by Anna Firth, former MP for Southend West and newly elected Chair of the Waterwatch Southend Community Committee