THE Environment Agency has said that the pumping of untreated wastewater into the River Test is ‘currently not happening’.

It comes as five environment conservation groups have collectively voiced their concerns regarding Southern Water’s recent move to pump untreated wastewater from the sewer network directly into the River Test.

The Angling Trust, Fish Legal, the Test & Itchen Association (TIA), the Hampshire River Keepers Association (HRKA) and Activist Anglers have sought urgent answers from Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) and Environment Agency (EA) over the plans.

READ MORE: Conservation campaigners calling for answers over River Test pumping

The action, which was widely condemned and ultimately halted due to public protest, has prompted an urgent call to Steve Barclay, the Secretary of State for the DEFRA, and, Phillip Duffy, the CEO of the EA, to provide details of the basis upon which Southern Water’s over-pumping plans for the river were approved and allowed to proceed.

An Environment Agency spokesperson said in response to the concerns: “The pumping of untreated wastewater into watercourses should only happen in an emergency, when people’s properties are at risk of sewage flooding. It is currently not happening in the Test or Itchen catchments.

“Water companies must take all reasonable steps to prevent these discharges and should only proceed if there is no reasonable alternative to protect people and their homes.

“Any impacts on local watercourses will be closely monitored, with regular water sampling and river monitoring. If there are any signs of water pollution, we will investigate them thoroughly.”