TikToker Troy Hawke confronts Southern Water bosses

Troy Hawke, a TikToker known for his gentleman’s attire and street compliments, stood outside The Grand hotel on Brighton seafront speaking to those arriving for the annual British Water Conference on Tuesday, November 26.

In a video shared on social media, Hawke, who has more than one million followers, stated: “Water companies have the profile of pantomime villains.

“Each company has a monopoly in their area, guaranteed revenue streams and zero customer choice.

“Almost 2,000 people have gotten sick in our waters because of sewage this year.

Troy stated that over 2,000 people have become unwell after swimming in the sea this year (Image: 38 Degrees) “And who cares about the effect on marine life?”

He told one man that he was “filling his shirt magnificently”, before adding “almost as well as water companies are filling our water with sewage”.

Hawke also accused water companies of prioritising “shareholder bonuses” rather than fixing infrastructure and running solely for profit.

The stunt was organised in collaboration with campaign groups 38 Degrees and People vs Profiteers.

READ MORE: Tankers brought in after sewer pipe bursts

A mobile billboard was also positioned at the front of the hotel, stating that the ten major water companies in England and Wales have amassed 1,135 criminal convictions and £164 million in fines since privatisation in 1989, revealed via an FOI request.

The mobile billboard outside The Grand in Brighton (Image: Nigel Howard) The data revealed that Southern Water has amassed 119 convictions and £94,131,925 in fines.

Matthew McGregor, 38 Degrees CEO, said: “The scandal of sewage in our seas and rivers is an environmental disaster decades in the making. It’s rightfully making headlines every single week and the public are clear who they level the blame at: water companies.

“Since they were privatised in 1989, water companies have been racking up huge fines and criminal convictions for illegal sewage spills; whilst bills for customers soar and execs and shareholders profit through bonuses and dividends.

@troy_hawke On duty at a Water Company Conference (WCC) in Brighton to congratulate the English water executives on a water-tight business model #troyhawke #greetersguild #thegreatwatercon #peopleagainstprofiteers #surfersagainstsewage ♬ original sound - Troy Hawke

“The public have had enough, and that’s why we’ve brought a message to water company bosses to Brighton today that they can’t miss: enough is enough, clean up this mess, now!

“The government has made a welcome commitment to tackling sewage head-on.

“The forthcoming Water Bill and independent commission must now result in real change, and meet the growing call from the public to clamp down on water companies and stop the sewage scandal once and for all.”

Jack Steadman of People vs Profiteers said: "Troy has a unique ability to expose absurdity through charm.

“The fact that water executives couldn't explain why England should be one of only two countries running water for profit speaks volumes.

“Labour is considering banning water company profits - this shows exactly why they should."

A spokesman for Southern Water said: "The vast majority of convictions and fines highlighted relate to an Environment Agency prosecution for historic offences which occurred between 2010 and 2015, when Southern Water had a different workplace culture and different leadership. 
 
“We have since embedded a huge culture change within the business that has transformed the way we operate.

"However, we recognise there is more work to do, which is why we are working hard to make further improvements to our performance through our Turnaround Plan, so we meet the expectations of our customers and communities.”