Surfers to launch nationwide protests over failing water system

• Thousands of surfers across the UK are set to stage a nationwide protest on Saturday against the deteriorating state of the country's water sector.
• Led by Surfers Against Sewage (SAS), the “paddle out” demonstrations at over 50 locations will target the private ownership model, which campaigners blame for widespread industry failures.
• Protesters argue that decades of underinvestment since privatisation in 1989 have led to pervasive leakages, rampant sewage pollution and escalating consumer bills.
• The action also opposes the new Water Reform Bill, announced in the King’s Speech, which campaigners believe will entrench the continuation of the privatisation model despite proposed reforms.
• Polling commissioned by SAS indicates that only 7 per cnet of adults in England believe water companies should remain privately owned, with 77 per cent supporting a change in operating model.

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Thousands of surfers to stage ‘paddle out’ protest across UK over ‘broken’ water system