SOS Whitstable

Putting pressure on the water industry to stop polluting our seas and rivers | Water quality news & updates

[SOS Whitstable @SOSWhitstable]

Help us reach 300,000 signatures 🌊

https://t.co/QXLPJyn7re

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[SOS Whitstable @SOSWhitstable]

So @sewateruk have breached their license during recent days which have left thousands without water during a heatwave.

As such they should have their license revoked, right @Ofwat? What are the point of licensing conditions otherwise?

https://t.co/zgRJxArvqX

[SOS Whitstable @SOSWhitstable]

Here is what the chart should actually look like.

[SOS Whitstable @SOSWhitstable]

This chart is a masterclass in how to make ordinary variation look like a crisis.

The biggest problem? The y-axis starts at 500 instead of 0. That massively exaggerates the height differences between the bars, making a relatively modest increase in water demand look dramatic and alarming.

571 ML/d and 670 ML/d are only about a 17% difference — but visually the red bars appear almost twice as large as the green one.

Then there’s the colour coding:
🟢 safe
🟡 warning
🟠 danger
🔴 crisis

Those thresholds are arbitrary, but the design makes the audience feel like demand suddenly becomes catastrophic at 650.

This is why data visualisation ethics matter. Charts shouldn’t be designed to manipulate emotion — they should help people understand reality accurately.

A simple zero-based axis and neutral colours would tell the story honestly.

[SOS Whitstable @SOSWhitstable]

This chart is a masterclass in how to make ordinary variation look like a crisis.

The biggest problem? The y-axis starts at 500 instead of 0. That massively exaggerates the height differences between the bars, making a relatively modest increase in water demand look dramatic and alarming.

571 ML/d and 670 ML/d are only about a 17% difference — but visually the red bars appear almost twice as large as the green one.

Then there’s the colour coding:
🟢 safe
🟡 warning
🟠 danger
🔴 crisis

Those thresholds are arbitrary, but the design makes the audience feel like demand suddenly becomes catastrophic at 650.

This is why data visualisation ethics matter. Charts shouldn’t be designed to manipulate emotion — they should help people understand reality accurately.

A simple zero-based axis and neutral colours would tell the story honestly.

[SOS Whitstable @SOSWhitstable]

18,000 properties without water in the middle of an extremely hot week is incredibly dangerous.

We already knew that @sewateruk were abysmal but this is outrageous.

Water is too important to be run like this. Unacceptable.

https://t.co/8GcyJGJTAs

[SOS Whitstable @SOSWhitstable]

The middle of a heatwave. No rain in sight. Yet @SouthernWater continue to release sewage.

This time in St Mildred's Bay in Margate. It is a sick joke.

[SOS Whitstable @SOSWhitstable]

Whilst it's encouraging to hear him discuss public ownership, we must remember that Starmer once did the same.

Talking about it and doing it are very different things.

[Channel 4 News @Channel4News]

Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham has set out his views on Labour's path forward and the policy challenges facing the country.

Speaking to Channel 4 News' Andrew Misra, Burnham said he wanted Labour to become “a party that they can believe in again, a party solidly on the side of working class people.”

[SOS Whitstable @SOSWhitstable]

Wouldn't be surprised.

[IlkleyCleanRiver @CleanIlkley]

Apparently @DefraGovUK thinks it’s easier to secure clean water in bathing sites at seasides because of the natural disinfection properties of seawater! You couldn’t make it up https://t.co/zSouvtzXc1

[SOS Whitstable @SOSWhitstable]

If you can go to jail for fly tipping, why shouldn't prison be an option for a far greater and more permanent assault on the environment?

Water companies pollute because they operate without fear. Instill that fear and watch them change.

[SOS Whitstable @SOSWhitstable]

If you can go to jail for fly tipping, why shouldn't prison be an option for a far greater and more permanent assault on the environment?

Water companies pollute because they operate without fear. Instill that fear and watch them change.

[Farrukh @implausibleblog]

Feargal Sharkey, "Water companies... The fines don't work, it's time we actually started upholding the law, and sending some of these executives and directors to jail"

Krishnan Guru-Murthy, "You think we should put them in jail?"

Feargal Sharkey, "If we put one water company boss in jail for six weeks the whole industry would transform itself"

[SOS Whitstable @SOSWhitstable]

"When buying new plants, look for varieties that need less watering"

And what is @thameswater's contribution to water conservation? Losing 592 million litres of water per day through leaking pipes.

The institutional hypocrisy of this industry knows no limits.

[Thames Water 💧 @thameswater]

Small choices can make all the difference this May Bank Holiday 🌼

When buying new plants, look out for varieties that need less watering - they’ll cope better in dry spells and help conserve water use long‑term. Adding a layer of mulch on top of your plant beds also helps lock moisture into the soil, keeping roots hydrated for longer.

When it’s time to water, opt for a watering can instead of a hose. Thoughtful gardening helps protect water supplies for everyone - while still keeping your garden happy and healthy.

💧Discover more water saving tips at https://t.co/MkOVELkt1e

[SOS Whitstable @SOSWhitstable]

"South East Water chairman resigns after scathing report"

There's little to disagree with in this report, @sewateruk are a disgrace.

But where is the consistency from MPs when it comes to @thameswater? Why are they being allowed to get away with it?

https://t.co/JcT3kuEuwU

[SOS Whitstable @SOSWhitstable]

"Oxford MP refuses to push for Thames Water administration"

Very disappointing from @AnnelieseDodds, Labour continues to let @thameswater operate without fear of any consequences whatsoever.

https://t.co/E0qOmcWMOF

[SOS Whitstable @SOSWhitstable]

"Oxford MP refuses to push for Thames Water administration"

Very disappointing from @AnnelieseDodds, Labour continues to let @thameswater operate without fear of any consequences whatsoever.

https://t.co/E0qOmcWMOF

[SOS Whitstable @SOSWhitstable]

Massive congratulations to @WindrushWasp for this important milestone 👏

Let's not stop there though, 100k isn't enough.

When this is debated we need to apply seismic pressure to all MPs.

They need to know that if they block this, they are going to be voted out.

[We Own It @We_OwnIt]

🔥🔥BOOM🔥🔥

This is the moment 100,000 people added their voice to the demand for a referendum on who owns our water.

The government now has to consider it for a parliamentary debate.

Please sign and share the petition. Make it impossible for them to refuse a debate: https://t.co/EDl41I9Uqo

[SOS Whitstable @SOSWhitstable]

97k, almost there and will surely push through today.

And when this gets debated in parliament we ALL need to write to our MPs demanding that they support this.

They are elected to represent us over themselves or their parties.

[SOS Whitstable @SOSWhitstable]

You may think your signature won't make a difference to the petition on public water ownership.

But if everyone thought that, it wouldn't have reached 90k+ signatures.

Every signature helps, every share helps even more.

Please ✍️ & 🔄

https://t.co/XQ8RSHKLCC

[SOS Whitstable @SOSWhitstable]

You may think your signature won't make a difference to the petition on public water ownership.

But if everyone thought that, it wouldn't have reached 90k+ signatures.

Every signature helps, every share helps even more.

Please ✍️ & 🔄

https://t.co/XQ8RSHKLCC

[SOS Whitstable @SOSWhitstable]

Public ownership of water is a unifying issue. Virtually everyone agrees.

Which makes it astonishing that the @UKLabour government won't consider this very easy win.

Why is that? How far do water companies have their hooks in?

https://t.co/fycepQFz38

[SOS Whitstable @SOSWhitstable]

Four protests. Five years. Not enough progress.

We'll keep coming back year after year until either things improve or people stop showing up 🪧💩

[SOS Whitstable @SOSWhitstable]

Four protests. Five years. Not enough progress.

We'll keep coming back year after year until either things improve or people stop showing up 🪧💩