Daisy Cooper MP for St Albans, and Victoria Collins MP for Harpenden and Berkhamsted, have voted for a Liberal Democrat proposal to create a Blue Flag Status to protect chalk streams and other rivers from filthy sewage dumping.
The status – if accepted – would entrench obligations on water companies to maintain the quality, safety standards and role of such waterways in enriching biodiversity, including through compliance checks. Water companies could therefore be held to account for upholding this, and ending sewage discharges.
Whilst the proposal was voted down by the Labour government, the Liberal Democrats vowed to fight on by confirming they would table amendments to the government’s new water laws at the next opportunity.
Separately, in the debate, Daisy secured a guarantee that government Ministers will meet with her to discuss her new Chalk Streams (Sewerage Investment) Bill, which she tabled earlier that day. Currently, Thames Water is lining old porous pipes that let sewage seep out; her new Bill would require water companies to prioritise those pipe upgrades to combat sewage dumping in areas with chalk streams.
In the debate, Daisy said:
“The Secretary of State referred to rare ecological rivers that can be damaged by sewage pollution. In my constituency, we have a very rare chalk stream, the River Ver. Thames Water says that many of the sewage spills happen because the pipes are old and porous. Part of the solution is to line them, but when Thames Water is lining pipes, it is not prioritising pipes that are close to rare chalk streams. Will the Secretary of State meet me to discuss my Chalk Streams (Sewerage Investment) Bill, which would make water companies prioritise those pipes that are close to chalk streams, because of their rare ecological status?”
The Minister confirmed that she would be able to meet the relevant Minister.
After the debate, she added:
“A Blue Flag status could help secure a future free from disgusting sewage discharges into our precious chalk streams like the River Ver. I’m disappointed that the government voted it down, but we Lib Dems will keep fighting until filthy sewage stops.
“At the same time, my new Bill provides another route to force Thames Water and other water companies to prioritise the protection of chalk streams. I’m pleased that the government is willing to meet with me so I can make the case for it to become law.”
Similarly, Victoria has long been advocating for a Blue Flag status for precious chalk streams, including through her Bill: the Rivers, Streams and Lakes (Protected Status) Bill, which is returning to Parliament on 16 May 2025. She is urging the government to rethink their reluctance and finally back this change.
In the debate, Victoria raised the importance of this:
“My hon. Friend talks about overwhelmed sewage works. The Markyate sewage works in my constituency has now had 3,000 hours of non-stop overflow, including sewage, which enters our precious chalk streams. Does she agree that that is why it is so important that we have blue flag status to increase the responsibility and accountability of water companies, which should not take our chalk streams for granted?”
Following the debate, she added:
“The volume of sewage being dumped into the River Ver from Markyate shows just how desperately we need a protected status for such waterways. Throughout my time as an MP I’ve been pushing for this, and I’ll continue to do so.
“Water companies are, quite frankly, getting away with destroying precious waterways every day. It’s undeniable that we need stronger, firmer action to hold them to account.
“This is what our Liberal Democrat motion aimed to achieve, but the opportunity to do this was squandered by the government. They must rethink this, and give our valuable waterways – locally and nationwide – the robust protections they desperately need.”
Daisy and Victoria challenging Thames Water on leaky sewage pipes during their visit to Markyate sewage works