Graham Watson MEP

Watson takes sewage complaint to Brussels

Published on Thursday 3rd March 2011

Gibraltar's Liberal Democrat MEP Graham Watson today presented to the European Commission a complaint put together by Gibraltar's Environmental Safety Group (ESG) about the pumping of raw sewage onto Gibraltar Beach.

The beach has been closed indefinitely and was recently the site of a protest by a large group of campaigners including Watson. The sewage is said to be coming from La Linea and it has been reported that there will be further development in the area of the marina in La Linea, including a 265 bedroom hotel, a conference centre, shops, bars and restaurants.

Campaigners are concerned that the sewage outflow from these developments could be connected to the existing outlet, which would worsen the existing problem in Western Beach.

An official from DG Environment was on-hand in Brussels to receive the dossier, along with a letter from Watson to the Environment Commissioner Janez Poto?nik calling on him to investigate the matter and prevent any further escalation of the problem.

Watson commented;

"Protecting the environment from pollution is a concern and interest to us all, regardless of nationality or political boundary. That is why the EU has introduced strict environmental standards and these must be respected."

Watson also submitted a dossier of evidence to the European Parliament's Petitions Committee. He has vowed to work with colleagues and campaigners to have the petition heard and supported by MEPs on the Committee.

He said;

"We certainly have a tough battle ahead of us, but if successful the European Commission will be required to act. However, I sincerely hope this is not necessary and the authorities come to their senses and clean up this mess once and for all."

ENDS.

Notes to Editors:

Graham's letter to Commissioner Potocnik is copied below.

Dear Commissioner,

Last year a storm drain which exited on a marina in the Spanish town of La Linea was diverted so that it now outflows onto an enclosed basin facing Gibraltar which is part of my constituency.

The basin includes a Gibraltar beach, called Western Beach, which has had to be closed to the public because of the hazard posed to human health by the high levels of ecoli found in the water. The Gibraltar Government has said that it has conducted tests which prove that the source of the contamination in the Spanish storm drain. The precise readings taken from the beach can be viewed on the website of Gibraltar's Environmental Agency. These show that on many days the level of ecoli on the waters of the beach was well over safe standards.

My constituents in Gibraltar are very concerned at this development. I was in Gibraltar on 10th February and was able to visit the beach and see the situation at first hand. I also received a petition signed by over 3000 people who were concerned at what has happened.

It has now come to my knowledge that there are plans for further development on the Spanish side of the border, which include a 265 room hotel, a conference centre, shops, bars and restaurants and the indications are that this is all going to be connected to the same pipes that have already caused a problem in Gibraltar. If this happens the sewage pollution will only get worse.

I urge you, as a matter of urgency, to carry out an investigation into this matter in order to both put an immediate end to the existing contamination and to prevent any further escalation of the problem in the future.

Yours sincerely,

Graham Watson MEP