Wessex Water pumps sewage into the Winterborne again

Summary of the situation
1 Raw sewage was discharged into the Winterborne to prevent flooding of approximately 31 homes.
2 The discharge was licensed and approved by the Environment Agency, making it ‘legal’ but deeply concerning.
3 The incident caused road closures, disruptionon to village life, and occurred with little to no warning.
4 Many residents became aware only after the fact, increasing anger and distress.

 Key Feelings Expressed
1 Disgust and horror at sewage entering a globally rare chalk stream
2 Incredulity following a summer of drought
3 Anger at repeated use of the river as an overflow solution
4 Strong desire to channel outrage constructively

Key Questions to be Answered
1 Why did this escalate so quickly, and why were tankers not used as in previous years?
2 Is the sewer infrastructure fundamentally inadequate for Martinstown?
3 Would fixing leaks alone be sufficient, or is full system replacement needed?
4 Why did the Environment Agency approve this discharge into a chalk stream?
5 What pollutants were released and what testing is needed now?
6 What would it cost to properly modernise the sewage system?
7 How can residents check whether their homes are contributing to the problem?

What Green Martinstown Is and Is Not
1 Green Martinstown is a group of ordinary villagers and volunteers.
2 We have no legal or regulatory authority.
3 We aim to investigate, educate, represent, and lobby constructively.
4 Being non-confrontational does not mean passive or accepting.

Agreed Course of Action

1 Gather technical understanding 
2 Support the Parish Council in convening a public meeting with Wessex Water, Environment Agency, Edward Morello MP and Dorset Council.
3 Prepare clear, informed questions ahead of that meeting.
4 Explore water quality testing with appropriate safety measures.
5 Continue promoting the petition and sharing factual updates.
6 Make water a central Green Martinstown focus for 2025–26.
6. Closing Note
This is recognised as a long-term issue requiring knowledge, persistence, and unity. Green Martinstown will continue to work calmly and constructively to protect the river and village.

What You Can Do?

Please sign the petition here:  https://form.jotform.com/253512183634353

This will also be found in the Village shop

Write to Wessex Water to register your complaint and to ask the above key questions: https://www.wessexwater.co.uk/additional-support/how-to-make-a-complaint

Write to Edward Morello MP at this address – don’t forget to include your full postal address: 

edward.morello.mp@parliament.uk

Edward has already done some work with Wessex Water