I’ve lived in Brighton for about 15 years. I’m not an activist or particularly extreme in my views. I just think clean rivers and sea are a reasonable thing to expect, and I’ve run out of patience waiting for someone else to do something about it.
For the past few years I’ve been withholding the wastewater portion of my Southern Water bill. Not the whole thing – I pay the water supply charge because I receive that service. But I don’t pay for wastewater treatment, because Southern Water isn’t treating my wastewater. It’s dumping it in the sea.
I check the Surfers Against Sewage app before I swim at a local beach. Not as a precaution I’ve chosen to take – as a necessity. No one should have to check the water for sewage before going for a swim.
Withholding my wastewater payment
I started withholding after years of reading about illegal sewage dumps, record fines that changed nothing, and bills going up regardless. When Channel 4 released Dirty Business in February 2026, it inspired me to make this site to give others insight into what withholding payment looks like. If you haven’t seen it, watch it. The three episodes will make you furious.
When I told my partner what I was doing, they were supportive. When I’ve told friends and colleagues since, most of them want to know how. That’s partly why this site exists.
The other reason is that the first time I did this, I didn’t know enough. I paid up after two years of withholding because the Consumer Council for Water (CCW) didn’t help and I didn’t realise I could go further. I’m back withholding again now, and this time I know the full process – and I want to share it.
I’ve had a total of one reply from Southern Water, which was during my first period of withholding. It was not satisfactory and I told them so. All the other contact I’ve received has been from debt collection agencies. I’ve engaged with all of them, kept records of everything, and so far have had no extra charges, no court action, and no impact on my credit score.
I’m not promising that will be the same for you. The risks are real and I set them out honestly in the guide about withholding your wastewater payment.
This is a national issue
This isn’t really just about Brighton. The sewage scandal is happening across the UK, water companies are getting away with it, and the Government has consistently decided it’s too complicated or too expensive to fix properly. Labour has said nationalisation is off the table. The fines haven’t worked. Complaining hasn’t worked.
Withholding payment is one of the few things an ordinary customer can actually do. So I’m doing it – and if you’re a Southern Water customer in Brighton or Hove who’s had enough, this site is for you.