Bob Seely MP said: "On Saturday (15th October) I went to a rally in Gurnard to highlight continuing storm overspill discharges. Whilst over 90-percent of overspill is rainwater, some is domestic sewage.
"I would like to thank the Islanders that attended the protest meeting in Gurnard. I am grateful to them for letting me explain what’s been happening in Parliament and on the Island. They’re right to make their voices heard. I love my swimming and, as an occasional sea-swimmer, I share their concerns.
"Water firms HAVE spilled too much into rivers & beaches. They need to clean up their act. When the ground-breaking Environment Act was legislated last year, we persuaded Southern Water to make the Isle of Wight a test case for national best practice. I am glad that Southern Water now realise that their firm badly needs to raise their environmental standards.
"I spoke with Southern Water's head environmental officer on Saturday. They are finalising dates to start improvements in Gurnard. This will happen next year.
"I followed this conversation by writing to Southern Water, asking them when residents can expect investment, what sort of investment they can expect, what regional variation in investments there might be, and what incentives Southern Water have to abide by their self-set deadlines.
"Southern Water has already invested considerably at Sandown treatment works, whilst also working to reduce driveway and road rainwater run-off. Southern Water are developing plans to ensure they are more focussed on water run-off in industrial areas. They have also promised to hand out slow-release water butts to households that request them, to help alleviate pressure on their water systems.
"A previous ‘water butt’ trial in Havenstreet has been very successful. Every household was offered a water butt, with 132-households accepting. Before the trial, Havenstreet pumping station spilled 20-30 times a year. Since the trial, Havenstreet station hasn’t spilled once; a promising start.
"I will work with community groups, Councillors and Southern Water to make sure we maintain and improve out Island’s environment – this is all part of getting a better deal for the Island."
