Mersea Island oyster firm challenges Government's sewage policy

Richard Haward’s Oysters, located on Mersea Island, has partnered up with campaigners from the Good Law Project, which “uses the law for a better world.”

The family-run firm, which has been operating in the seafood industry for nearly 300 years, has been in business for generations and is currently headed-up by Tom Haward.  

Together they are hoping to take the fight to Downing Street over its £56million Storm Overflows Discharge Reduction Plan, which was unveiled in the summer.

The scheme has been established to stop water companies from dumping sewage in waterways and shorelines but gives them until 2050 to actually make the changes.

It is understood water companies themselves are also investing £3.1billion in storm overflow improvements between 2020 and 2025.  

Emma Dearnaley, legal director, at the Good Law Project, however, believes the Government initiative is unfit for purpose, so is now looking to take the issue to court. 

She added: “Sewage discharges are having a devastating impact on coastal communities - threatening human health, biodiverse marine life and fishing.

“The Government’s current plan to tackle sewage discharges from storm overflows gives water companies a final deadline of 2050 to get a grip on this issue,

“But beleaguered businesses and communities simply cannot wait this long.”

According to Surfers Against Sewage, water companies released raw sewage in UK waters 146 times during dry weather between last October and this September.

That is in spite of the fact they are told to do so only when there is exceptionally heavy rainfall, in order to help the sewage network cope.

Regardless of when the sewage is discharged, Emma says the entire practice is having a detrimental effect on businesses such as Richard Haward’s Oysters.

READ MORE: 'Swimming pool' of sewage discharged into Essex river killing protected species

“The routine pollution of our seas is also putting people’s livelihoods and the local economy at risk,” said Emma.

“For Richard Haward’s Oysters, the aftermath of these discharges comes at great cost, causing significant disruption to operations and their supply chain.

“We are pleased to team up with the to bring a legal challenge to compel the Government to rewrite its plan and demand quicker action from water companies.”

The Environment Agency is currently conducting a major investigation into potential widespread non-compliance by water and sewerage companies at sewage treatment works.

More than 2,200 wastewater treatment works are said to be being scrutinised by investigators and specialists.

The Department for Environment, Food, & Rural Affairs declined to comment.