EDM 1376: Water quality of the River Mole

That this House expresses deep concern over the deteriorating water quality of the River Mole; notes recent data collected by River Mole River Watch reveals persistently high levels of phosphate pollution in the River Mole over the last two years, with average concentrations increasing from 0.48 parts per million (ppm) in 2023 to 0.56 ppm in March 2025; further notes that such elevated phosphate levels significantly exceed safe thresholds for freshwater ecosystems and could result in eutrophication, an excess of nutrients in the water that depletes oxygen, causes algal blooms and damages biodiversity; acknowledges that the elevated phosphate levels are linked to factors including sewage overflows from pumping stations, of which only 18 out of 307 in the catchment have event duration monitors installed, severely limiting transparency; recognises the valuable role of community-led monitoring in exposing the scale and sources of river pollution; calls on the Government to give citizen scientists greater powers to hold water companies accountable, including through representation on water company boards; further calls on the Government to mandate the installation of monitoring equipment on all sewage infrastructure and to ensure water companies publish both the volume and concentration of emergency overflow discharges on company websites; and encourages water companies to invest in upgrading wastewater treatment facilities to restore and protect the health of our waterways, like the River Mole, for future generations.