Dorset Labour MPs unite to call for year-round water quality monitoring at county's popular beaches

Jessica Toale MP joined fellow Dorset’s Labour MPs - Neil Duncan-Jordan, Lloyd Hatton and Tom Hayes - at Durdle Door to highlight a shared commitment to action on sewage spills, cleaning up the coastline, and protecting water users along the Jurassic Coast. 

The MPs, who all have designated bathing sites in their constituencies, carried out some water quality testing with Surfers Against Sewage - part of a national programme; and a litter pick with Litter Free Dorset, dedicated to keeping all areas of the county tidy - land, coast and sea.

They went on to discuss the water quality issues locally, nationally and globally and what might be done to tackle this. The event marks a renewed push to stop sewage spills, protect beaches across the county - from Weymouth to Bournemouth - and hold local water company bosses to account.  

The Labour Government is already delivering action to clean up the country’s rivers, lakes and seas, and the MPs welcome the introduction of new powers that will see water company executives face up to two years in prison if they cover up illegal sewage spills – the toughest measures in history. 

The MPs also backed landmark legislation that will stop polluting water bosses from receiving unfair bonuses. This forms part of a wider reform of the water sector, which includes £104 billion of private investment to modernise the water system and the establishment of an Independent Commission into the industry – the biggest review since privatisation. 

Speaking together, as a people and a seal soaked up the Spring sunshine, the four MPs said: “We are united here today - as the four Dorset Labour MPs - with a commitment to improving water quality along the Jurassic Coast for everyone who uses the water - be they surfers or wild swimmers, scientists or wildlife spotters.”

Dorset MPs discuss water quality with Surfers Against Sewage and Litter Free Dorset

Durdle Door, formed over 140 million years ago and one of Britain’s most iconic bathing sites, was chosen as the backdrop for the event ahead of the official start of the bathing water season next week. The MPs raised concerns that water quality at bathing sites like Durdle Door is only monitored by regulators between mid-May and September, calling for this to be extended to all year-round. 

They joined together in praising the efforts of local citizen science groups, who often step in to monitor water quality outside the official bathing season. However, relying on volunteers provides only a partial picture of conditions at some of the country’s most popular swimming spots. 

Year-round monitoring by regulators would give the public more accurate data and help improve water quality across the Dorset coast, the MPs said.

Jessica, who has three designated bathing sites in her Bournemouth West constituency, said: "As someone who uses the water myself - from paddleboarding to bathing and diving - I understand first hand some of the concerns my constituents share with me about water quality and, along with this government, am determined to improve this.

"We've made a strong start, but there's more to do and extending bathing season to improve monitoring would really help us keep on top of the state of the waters at some of the country's most popular beaches and bathing sites."

MPs Lloyd Hatton (South Dorset) and Jessica Toale (Bournemouth West) carry out a litter pick at Durdle Door