LAST week, Sarah Dyke MP visited several Wessex Water sites to see how new technology will be used to reduce the amount of nutrients including phosphate, that enter rivers and streams in Somerset.

Over 20 Wessex Water sites across the Glastonbury and Somerton constituency are set to receive upgrades that will increase the amount of phosphorus that is captured before it enters the river.

Whilst some of these upgrades are to comply with standards that have tightened because of new, better technology, there is hope that others will help unlock new housing in Somerset.

The Liberal Democrats are deeply concerned about the levels of water pollution across the UK, especially given Natural England has reported that just 14% of our waterways are in good condition.

Commenting on the visit, Sarah Dyke MP said: “River pollution in Somerset threatens our natural environment and our ability to build homes.

“A typical house in Somerset costs almost nine times the typical annual wage. We must make homes more affordable, and that means building new houses.

“Taking the housing crisis seriously means reducing the amount of river pollution, and I was reassured to see that Wessex Water is working to reduce phosphate levels.

"Our water industry needs top-to-bottom reform.

“The Liberal Democrats have policies to tackle the sewage scandal, including transforming water companies into public benefits companies, and we will fight hard to introduce them if water companies cannot be trusted to do so themselves.

“Ending the sewage scandal was a central pillar of our manifesto this election, and the record number of Liberal Democrat MPs that were elected shows that voters care deeply about it.”