Wiveliscombe’s Extinction Rebellion group is set to take part in 'a day of action' on Saturday January 28 to protest against the pollution in rivers and seas.

The group will hold a “Poo Tea Party” and a “Nature Die Off” outside French Weir Café in Taunton at 12 noon.  

Jenni Dutton, an artist, activist and spokesperson for Wivey XR said: “We have watched in horror as our rivers and seas have become open sewers since October 2021, when the government voted down a proposal to stop water companies pumping waste directly into our rivers and seas.

"They justify this by claiming that the proposal was too expensive. Our actions shine a light on the government’s failure to protect our waterways, the natural world and all of us.” 

She added: “I have been so concerned that I have become a citizen scientist investigator with the West Country Rivers Trust, so I can do my bit to help gather data around how are rivers are polluted."

Members of Taunton XR will on the same day be unveiling a blue plaque outside the office of Taunton Deane MP and junior DEFRA minister Rebbeca Pow, whose constituency includes Wellington and Wiveliscombe.

The plaques will read: “Rebecca Pow M.P. Voted to block a law requiring water companies to dump less raw sewage in our waterways and seas. 20/10/2022.” 

The plaques are said to highlight “the government’s continued failure to tighten environmental regulations and stop profit-grabbing by water companies.” The protests will be part of a national day of action to raise awareness about the condition of waterways.  

In a statement Wiveliscombe XR said: “Members of Extinction Rebellion hope that the action on Saturday will draw attention to the state of our waterways and of the failure of our MP to take action and work in the interests of those who elect her.” 

Ms Pow responded in a statement: "I have been clear that the amount of untreated sewage which enters our waterways and pollutes our beaches is unacceptable.

“We are the first government to require the roll out of storm overflow monitoring, with now almost 90% coverage. It is because of this monitoring – increased from just 5% by this Government -  that we are able to take action to clean up our water.

“Since 2015, we have also seen the number of bathing waters classified as ‘good’ or ‘excellent’ increase to 92.8%. We have also seen record levels of fines for water companies who break the law, and secured record levels of industry infrastructure investment to tackle sewage spills.”

A DEFRA briefing provided to the Wellington Weekly News reported: "Claims that we have pushed back targets to clean up water from 2027 to 2063 are false."

"By 2035, water companies will have to improve all storm overflows discharging into or near every designated bathing water; and improve 75% of overflows discharging to high priority nature sites. By 2050, all remaining storm overflows covered by our targets will have to meet the new requirements on rainfall and environmental impact, regardless of location."

"Robust enforcement action against illegal activity is taken. This can include criminal prosecution by the Environment Agency for the most serious offences for which there can be unlimited fines. Since 2015, the Environment Agency has brought 56 prosecutions against water companies, securing fines of over £142 million."

"Since 2015 the number of bathing waters classified as ‘excellent’ increase from just 63.6% to 72.1% last year.In 2022, 97.1 per cent met the minimum standard of sufficient, with 92.8 per cent meeting the highest standards of Good and Excellent. There are more bathing waters classified as excellent this year, which has been driven by £2.5 billion of investment and facilitated partnerships to bring about the change needed to make our coastal bathing waters a success story. "