We’re proud to announce that Waterwatch UK formally became a registered charity on 1 September 2025: Charity No. 1214739.
This marks a major step forward for our mission to build a national movement for water justice: one that began right here in Southend.
A New Era for the Southend Water Summits
From the first quarter of 2026, the Southend Water Summits will officially become community-led.
This means local people, not politicians, will set the agenda, chair discussions, and drive the action.
If you’d like to have a say in how our local water issues are tackled, now’s the time to get involved.
- Become a member to vote or stand for election to the new Community Committee:
Join here → - Next Community Meeting and Committee Elections:
🗓 Monday 24 November, 18:30
📍 Leigh Sailing Club
Register to attend →
Stand for the Committee
We’re looking for local people with energy, ideas, and a commitment to protecting our waters to stand for election to the first Southend Waterwatch Community Committee.
Whether you’re a resident, campaigner, swimmer, sailor, business owner, or student, your perspective matters.
Committee members will help shape the local Waterwatch agenda, represent the community’s voice at future Summits, and work closely with local authorities, regulators, and water companies to push for change.
You don’t need experience, just integrity, commitment, and a belief that our waters deserve better.
If that sounds like you, sign up as a member and submit your interest in standing before 17 November 2025.
Why Join Waterwatch UK?
By joining, you’ll become part of a growing community determined to protect our waters and hold polluters accountable.
Membership is free – all we ask is your commitment.
As a Southend Member, you’ll:
- Help hold polluters and decision-makers to account
- Champion the rights of communities affected by pollution
- Push for lasting change in how water is managed and protected
You’ll also get:
- A voice in shaping Waterwatch priorities in Southend
- Invitations to member briefings and community events
- Voting rights in Southend Waterwatch elections
- Early access to reports and updates
Anyone can join, residents, local businesses, campaigners, swimmers, sailors, students, and anyone who believes in the right to clean, safe water.
There’s no cost – just a shared commitment to action and accountability.
Together, we’re turning frustration into progress.
Join us and help ensure the movement for water justice continues to grow, from Southend to every community in the UK.
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Community Calls for Formalisation of Water Quality Summit Committee in March
Reading Time: 4 minutesWaterwatch UK announces that a formal independent community-led committee will be established in March to shape the future of Southend’s Water Quality Summits. This process will ensure a structured, transparent, and inclusive approach to tackling water pollution and holding key stakeholders accountable. Recent Water Summits have failed to deliver real accountability or commitments from those…
Victory for Waterwatch UK: Our Proposal to Be Discussed at the Next Water Quality Summit!
Reading Time: < 1 minuteWe are thrilled to share a major milestone in our journey to empower communities and drive real change in water governance. Last night, David Burton-Sampson MP called to inform us that our proposal for the future of the Water Summits will now be discussed at tomorrow’s Water Quality Summit. This is a huge step forward…
Update on Funding and Future Decisions
Reading Time: < 1 minuteWe are pleased to share that Waterwatch UK has received news about potential funding from other local sources. As a result, we have made the decision to discontinue Anglian Water’s match funding at this time. While we are no longer proceeding with this specific funding arrangement, we recognise that there may be future instances where…
The Origins and Evolution of the Southend Water Summits
Reading Time: 7 minutesThe Water Summits began in March 2023, sparked by my deep frustration with the state of our water quality. As a cold water swimmer in Leigh On Sea, I saw first hand the devastating impact of raw sewage discharges and knew that urgent action was needed. I approached my then MP, Anna Firth, to highlight…
Statement on Southend MPs Voting Against Amendment 16 to the Water Bill
Reading Time: < 1 minuteWe are deeply disappointed that both of Southend’s MPs, David Burton-Sampson and Bayo Alaba, chose to vote against Amendment 16 to the Water (Special Measures) Bill. This amendment would have ensured that fines imposed on water companies for pollution were reinvested directly into improving water quality, rather than allowing companies to pass the cost onto…
Understanding CSOs: When Appearances Can Be Deceiving
Reading Time: 2 minutesAt Waterwatch UK, we’re committed to holding all parties accountable when it comes to protecting our water systems. A key part of this mission is ensuring transparency and clarity in reporting Combined Sewer Overflow (CSO) activity. Sometimes, what looks like a spill might not be one at all and that’s why accurate monitoring and regular…