More than 120 residents packed into Maldon Town Hall last night, for a meeting to discuss the state of the River Chelmer and the Blackwater Estuary, joined by a punk-pop star and an Anglian Water representative.

Just 24 hours earlier, the Environment Agency published a report saying Anglian Water required 'significant improvement'.

In March, the agency reported Anglian Water recorded 21,351 raw sewage spillages last year. Thursday's report shows it had 14 'serious' pollution incidents.

Feargal Sharkey OBE, a singer-turned-environmentalist, described the pipes supplying Anglian Water's sewage works as 'badly maintained' and 'illegal'.

As Chair of the Amwell Magna Fishery, Mr Sharkey feels water companies should "get to the nub of the problem".

He said: "We must get this done as quickly and efficiently as possible, but we can't without truth and reconciliation."

Each panellist outlined their views in a speech before the discussion began. (Photo: Ben Shahrabi)

The 'A Good Heart' singer was joined by local MP Rt Hon John Whittingdale OBE; Plume Academy student and WWF Youth Ambassador Hattie Phillips; and Dr Robin Price, Director of Quality and Environment at Anglian Water.

The meeting was organised by Maldon Town Mayor, Councillor Andrew Lay, who spoke about the importance of the river and the estuary locally.

He said: "We want to make sure whatever happens with the river works well for our community, as we are custodians of it."

"We want to make sure whatever happens with the river works well for our community, as we are custodians of it." Councillor Andrew Lay, Maldon Town Mayor

Cllr Lay referred to David Hughes' book 'The Maldonians', which makes reference to sewerage being a contentious issue historically for the town.

Mr Hughes told Nub News: "The rivers are the lifeline of Britain, and always have been."

John Whittingdale MP spoke about two globally renowned local businesses which rely on the River Blackwater: Maldon Oysters and Maldon Sea Salt. He also mentioned the importance of the site for wildlife and recreation.

A map created by The Rivers Trust showing locations where raw sewage has been discharged into local rivers. (Image: The Rivers Trust)

In 2021, the sewer storm overflow at Penny's Brook, Maldon, spilled 72 times for a total of 1,179 hours, discharging into the River Blackwater.

That same year, the sewer storm overflow near Park Drive, Maldon, spilled 26 times for a total of 158 hours, discharging into the River Blackwater via a lagoon.

Dr Robin Price, from Anglian Water, described the spillages as 'unacceptable' and said the organisation 'welcomed' scrutiny.

He said: "I'm not here to defend Anglian Water – I'm here to give an update on where we need to improve.

"It's been a tough week, following the Environment Agency's very critical report, which we fully accept.

"We were really, really disappointed to be rated as a two-star company."

"I'm not here to defend Anglian Water – I'm here to give an update on where we need to improve." Dr Robin Price, Director of Quality and Environment at Anglian Water

However, Dr Price says Anglian Water's five-year environmental programme is the 'largest and most ambitious' in the industry, as it is set to invest £800 million to 'protect and enhance' the region's environment.

Dr Price also referred to the effects of blockages caused by fats, oils, greases, and wet wipes on leaks in the company's network, which supplies more than 2.5 million households.

He told the audience Anglian Water was currently an 'impenetrable organisation', which wants to be 'much more transparent'.

Dr Price spoke about the work being done to improve Event Duration Monitors, which record how long each spillage incident lasts. Currently, there is 80% coverage in the region, but the company aims to have 100% coverage by the end of this year. Dr Price says the data will give Anglian Water an opportunity to invest further in the network.

So far there have been four spillages this year, in the first week of March, during 'exceptional' rainfall. But Dr Price feels this is "four spills too many".

He said: "We acknowledge we've got a lot more work to do, and we've made a commitment to working with key individuals in the town to improve the quality of the Blackwater Estuary."

Town Mayor Andrew Lay criticised the Environment Agency for turning down the opportunity to participate in last night's event.

He said: "They are a public body, paid for by taxpayers, and are answerable to the public.

"We would like to hear from them."

"They are a public body, paid for by taxpayers, and are answerable to the public." Councillor Andrew Lay, Maldon Town Mayor

Plume Academy Year 11 student, Hattie Phillips, spoke passionately about the importance of effective communication and collaboration in protecting "our blue and green spaces in and around Maldon".

Miss Phillips also made reference to "the elephant in the room", the absent Environment Agency. She described it as "disappointing, particularly for those who organised the event".

She said: "Taking responsibility for our actions can be uncomfortable."

The Environment Agency has been approached for comment. Meanwhile, the organisation's report on Anglian Water can be viewed here.