Angler refuses to pay bills in sewage protest

Mike Deacon has been fishing and swimming in the River Ouse since he was four years old

An angler from Lewes has joined a group of campaigners refusing to pay their bills to protest against water pollution.

Mike Deacon has labelled Southern Water a "criminal organisation" after a series of illegal sewage spills.

He is currently only paying £1 a month to the water company.

Southern Water said it was "very conscious" of its impact on the environment and working carefully to protect it by investing £3bn between 2020 and 2025.

In 2021, Southern Water was fined a record £90m for dumping raw sewage and was named as among the worst performing companies by Ofwat.

Mr Deacon said he no longer swims in the River Ouse because of pollution.

Southern Water is taking Mr Deacon to court to recover unpaid bills.

He is counter-suing the water company for loss of amenity due to illegal sewage spills.

"They have been prosecuted for polluting and they take no notice," said Mr Deacon.

"It seems that the fines that they're being asked to pay are acceptable to them and they carry on."

Southern Water said in a statement: "We are aware of a very small number of claims and counter claims from customers who are being pursued for unpaid bills.

"No claim that has reached court has been successful, and we will continue to defend any claims vigorously."

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