HAMPSHIRE MPs are facing a backlash after rejecting a move aimed at preventing water companies from dumping raw sewage in rivers and the sea.

An amendment to the Environment Bill was defeated in the House of Commons after almost all the Conservatives voted against the proposal, which was put forward in the Lords.

Most of the sewage that enters British waterways comes out of storm overflow pipes, which are only supposed to be used during severe weather.

Three months ago Southern Water was fined a record £90m for pumping raw sewage into rivers and coastal waters in Hampshire and other parts of the south.

The company admitted almost 7,000 illegal discharges from 16 wastewater treatment works between 2010 and 2015, including several sites in the Southampton area.

But the proposed amendment to the Bill was voted down in the Commons in a move that has angered campaigners, including Surfers Against Sewage.

A spokesman said the changes sought by the Lords “would have stopped water companies exploiting legal loopholes and treating rivers and the ocean as open sewers”.

Tory MPs have also come under fire from Cllr Malcolm Wade, leader of the Liberal Democrat group on New Forest District Council.

He said: “It is extraordinary - and a measure of Tory hypocrisy - to deny protection to our environment just a few days before COP26.

“Why wouldn’t our MPs want water companies to have a legal obligation not to pollute our rivers and ocean with sewage?”

But Julian Lewis, who represents New Forest East, said a total ban on discharges was impracticable and could lead to sewage contaminating streets.

New Forest West MP Desmond Swayne said action being taken by the Storm Overflows Taskforce, a joint industry-government group, would produce the data needed to bring forward a realistic and properly costed plan plan.

Sir Desmond warned that the consequences of acting prematurely could include sewage backing up and flooding toilets.

Eastleigh MP Paul Holmes said the Bill placed a duty on water companies to publish plans setting out how they would manage and develop their drainage and sewerage systems.

Mr Holmes also cited the potential £150bn cost of eliminating storm overflows and the impact on household bills.

He added: “I wasn’t going to sign a blank cheque on behalf of customers.”