Water campaigner must pay bill after sewage protest

6 hours ago

Patrick BarlowSouth East

Julie Wassmer, centre left, has been told she must pay the wastewater section of her water bill having witheld it for four years over Southern Water's sewage record

PA Media Four people stood in front of a court. Two of them are holding signs reading - "We shouldn't be paying for their crimes". — Julie Wassmer, centre left, has been told she must pay the wastewater section of her water bill having witheld it for four years over Southern Water's sewage record

An environmental campaigner must pay her Southern Water wastewater bill after withholding the money for more than four years due to the company's record over sewage spills.

Julie Wassmer was told to pay her unpaid bills dating back to 2021, collected by billing agent South East Water, after the water company took her to court.

Wassmer, from Whitstable in Kent, said the case would "not stop us continuing to highlight the basic injustice" after refusing payment when Southern Water received a £90m fine for 6,971 unpermitted discharges.

A Southern Water spokesperson said bills "fund the essential improvements our customers rightly expect" and it was investing £8.5bn to improve its infrastructure.

Speaking outside court on Thursday, Wassmer, 73, said: "We have to find another recourse to bring justice to water consumers in this country, and my absolute determination to do that has not been dulled by today's experience."

A judge at Canterbury County Court ruled in South East Water's favour after its lawyer argued it was "entitled to collect on behalf of Southern Water services".

District Judge Peter Furness said he did not have the power to consider moral or environmental questions.

"A bill was produced, it was levied and it hasn't been paid. Whatever sympathies I may or may not have with your position I am obliged to act within the law, it's as simple as that," he said.

In 2021, a sewage spill in Hastings damaged beach huts near Bulverhythe beach

Kevin Boorman A large puddle of sewage with multicoloured beach huts in the background. — In 2021, a sewage spill in Hastings damaged beach huts near Bulverhythe beach

The court ordered unpaid bills and costs of £1,445.83 to be paid within 56 days.

Supporters of the defendants filled the public gallery as Wassmer defended the civil case against herself and her husband Jonathan Kasparian as account holders.

She said the couple submitted evidence claiming that existing regulatory bodies were "not fit for purpose", adding the regulator Ofwat was "not a court".

Representing South East Water, solicitor Fergus Poncia said it was "incorrect" to say they had no other place to go, and they had other tribunals and judicial review to raise the points they were making.

Poncia said in court: "This is about an unpaid water services bill. We're entitled to collect on behalf of Southern Water services."

Additional reporting by PA Media.

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