Jo Bateman: It’s time for Labour to take action on sewage

Five years ago, I moved from the Midlands to Exmouth to be closer to the sea, and from the moment I took my first outdoor swim, I was hooked. I try to swim in the sea every day because of the huge benefits to my mental and physical health. Even in winter, when I’m shivering on the beach with the wind barrelling across the bay, I think of the buzz I feel as soon as I get out and that’s what makes me get in  – I couldn’t live without it. 

I’ve been on antidepressants for years, but since I began swimming in the sea, I’ve been able to reduce my dosage to the minimum – and I feel so much better for it. My daily dip is essential for my wellbeing, so when I can’t get in the water it takes a serious toll on my mental health. But there are some days when I can’t swim at all. Why? Sewage. As I’m writing this now – at the height of the summer holiday season – the beach is shut for swimming because of pollution from sewage. And this happens so often I have to check my phone all the time for alerts from Surfers Against Sewage.

I only learned about the sewage scandal when I started swimming and experienced its effects first hand. I didn’t realise how often it’s released and just how much of it is spread all over the country, with almost half a million spills last year. I’ve watched friends get sick from swimming in contaminated water and seen how it affects fish and seagrass – all while water company executives line their pockets.

So earlier this year, with the support of Leigh Day and Good Law Project, I started legal action against South West Water for dumping sewage again and again in my local swimming spot. I’ve had enough. 

And I’m not alone. Almost 40,000 people have joined me in calling on the new government to take action so that water companies are forced to clean up their act, and we can all enjoy our right to swim. Labour ministers have promised they won’t turn a blind eye to water companies like the Tories did, but actions speak louder than words. There’s no time to waste. So next week, I’m heading to 10 Downing Street to deliver the petition in person.

I can only dream of a time when I can just go for a swim without putting my health at risk. But if we carry on this fight, together we can make that dream a reality and we can all enjoy our right to swim.

Jo Bateman