Julie Maughan, the mother of Heather Preen who tragically passed away from an E. coli infection at a Devon beach in 1999, is calling for a meeting with Prime Minister Keir Starmer to address what she describes as a “sewage crisis.” Determined to seek justice for her daughter, Julie vows to continue her fight until no parent has to endure the pain she experiences daily.
Heather, an eight-year-old girl full of joy and innocence, succumbed to contaminated water during a family vacation that forever changed their lives. Julie, along with her then-husband Mark Preen and their daughters, were on holiday in Dawlish, Devon, where Heather fell ill while playing. The family suspects her illness was caused by exposure to raw sewage discharged into the sea from a storm pipe near the beach, an assertion disputed by South West Water.
According to Julie, water companies have evaded responsibility for Heather’s death, and she remains skeptical of their commitment to safeguarding public health. Surfers Against Sewage reveals alarming statistics showing sewage discharges into bathing waters in England totaling over 124,000 hours in 2025 and already exceeding 46,000 hours this year.
The Sunday Mirror exposed substantial earnings by top executives of England’s major water companies, highlighting disparities between corporate profits and public health concerns. The documentary series “Dirty Business” recounts the harrowing experiences of individuals like Reuben Santer, a teacher who developed a debilitating ear condition, Ménière’s Disease, after surfing in polluted waters at Saunton Beach.
Advocating for systemic change, Surfers Against Sewage is urging the government to overhaul the privatized water industry to prioritize public health over financial gains. Julie criticizes the government’s current policies, emphasizing the need for concrete actions to prevent similar tragedies from recurring.
Giles Bristow, Surfers Against Sewage’s CEO, emphasizes the human impact of water pollution, underscoring the ongoing suffering of individuals like Heather and Reuben while corporate profits soar. South West Water maintains its stance that no definitive link was established between Heather’s illness and sewage contamination, citing inconclusive investigation reports.
In response, a government spokesperson expresses condolences to Heather Preen’s family and outlines regulatory reforms aimed at improving water quality and holding water companies accountable for their actions. The government emphasizes measures such as increased oversight, investment, and penalties for corporate misconduct to ensure environmental protection and public safety.