Having grown up a few miles from our spectacular North Norfolk coast I am committed to protecting our coastal waters and chalk streams.
A few weeks ago I met the Environment Agency again to raise constituents’ concerns about Heacham water quality. I encouraged the EA to do more to explain the monitoring and action it is taking so I welcome this update they have provided to me. I am sharing it as I know this is a major concern for people locally. It explains what is happening to tackle this.
Improving the water requires identifying the causes and addressing them - there is no one clear source at Heacham. So I welcome £38,000 of new extra government funding to carry out extra expert DNA analysis of samples to understand the sources such as dog, birds, or human.
EA is also looking at sewers, agricultural land, weather impacts and other data, taking samples from Heacham river, conducting farm visits to ensure compliance with environmental rules, providing advice and visiting homes not on the mains sewer.
I’ll continue to work with EA, local council, Anglian Water and others on this issue and I support practical action and using enforcement powers to help improve water quality and tackle pollution - all part of the government’s plan for water requiring a record £56 billion investment from water companies, new powers for regulators, and unlimited fines.
Anyone aware of pollution should report it to the Environment Agency on 0800 807 060
