A Kent MP has backed new legislation it’s hoped will hold water companies to account over the dumping of sewage into the county’s largest river.

Tris Osbourne, who represents Chatham and Aylesford, believes a bill currently making its way through Parliament will crack down on pollution in the River Medway.

Speaking at its second reading on Monday (December 16), he said: “This is an issue which matters to my constituents who have expressed deep frustration after 14 years of Conservative failure resulting in raw toxic sewage being pumped into the River Medway.

“National figures show that in 2023 alone, 1011 sewage dumps occurred in a tidal river known for its SSSI status and RSPB nature reserves.

“This is why the Labour government has introduced immediate action to end the disgraceful behaviour of water companies and their bosses.”

If voted into law, new rules would ban water companies from paying out bonuses to their executives if firms fail to meet high environmental standards or protect customers.

The bill also mandates independent monitoring of every sewage outlet across the country with companies such as Southern Water required to publish real-time data reports on emergency overflows.

It follows Labour’s manifesto pledge to clean up the water sector, including significantly increasing the ability of the regulator, the Environment Agency, to bring forward criminal charges against law-breaking water executives.

Other provisions of The Water (Special Measures) Bill include automatic, severe fines for a range of offences, allowing regulators to impose penalties quickly and without the need for lengthy investigations.

Under the legislation water bosses who fail to co-operate or obstruct investigations can face tougher punishments, including imprisonment.

Speaking previously, Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Steve Reed, said: “The public are furious that in 21st century Britain, record levels of sewage are being pumped into our rivers, lakes and seas.

“After years of neglect, our waterways are now in an unacceptable state.”

He pledged to end the “disgraceful behaviour” of water companies and their bosses.

“Under this Government, water executives will no longer line their own pockets whilst pumping out this filth,” he added. “If they refuse to comply, they could end up in the dock and face prison time.

“This Bill is a major step forward in our wider reform to fix the broken water system.”

Parliamentary debate will continue early next year, with supporters confident it will pass into law and signal a major shift in the regulation of the water industry.