Today (6 July 2023) Cllr Luke Myer visited the Marske Sewage Treatment Works – a major facility that processes wastewater from across Redcar & Cleveland, including Skelton, Brotton, Guisborough, Saltburn and Marske.

Built in 2000, the plant forms part of the Teesside strategic network and includes a six-million-litre storm tank designed to manage high flows. It also uses ultraviolet disinfection before treated water is discharged via a long sea outfall to protect local bathing waters.

During the visit, Luke and local campaigners discussed how the system works in practice, the impact of storm overflows, and the ongoing problem of wipes and sanitary products being flushed rather than binned. Staff at the plant explained that a full skip of such material is removed roughly every two weeks. Luke used the visit to press Northumbrian Water on what more can be done to reduce overflows and prevent litter washing up on local beaches.

Luke has consistently worked with local groups who are protecting the coastline – securing funding for groups like Marske Litter Action, supporting local beach cleans and surveys, and helping to raise concerns with the water company.

Nationally, Labour has been clear that the current system has failed communities who have seen sewage discharged into rivers and seas while water bosses continue to receive large bonuses. The Conservative government has cut back enforcement and monitoring against water companies, and are now failing to prosecute bosses when they are blatantly breaking the law.

If elected at the next general election, Labour has set out plans to put the water industry under special measures, introduce automatic fines for illegal discharges, require monitoring of every outlet, and make senior executives personally liable for extreme and persistent lawbreaking. With the polluter – not the public – will pay.