‘No finish in sight’ for sewage dumps as Environment Agency figures present year-on-year improve

There have been 3,275 sewage dumps in Britain final 12 months, in response to information uncovered by the Liberal Democrats.

Environment Agency figures confirmed the full quantity was up from the two,008 recorded in 2021.

In complete, there have been 194,900 sewage dumps from “high frequency spill overflows” in 2022, lasting a complete of 1.3 million hours.

A spokesperson for the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) mentioned the numbers as utilized by the Lib Dems did “not align with the official data”.

High frequency spills are often deemed severe sufficient to warrant an investigation by water firms, who’re obliged to report again inside three months and description what motion has been taken.

The Liberal Democrats have accused the water firms of refusing to take motion.

It singled out for criticism United Utilities within the Lake District, South West Water in Devon and Cornwall and Severn Trent, which provides the Midlands and Wales.

According to the analysis, practically 40% of United Utilities’ storm overflows have been recognized as excessive spill frequency.

Storm overflows happen when rain and wastewater is discharged from sewerage methods into seas and rivers throughout heavy downpours to forestall sewage from backing up into streets and houses.

United Utilities has additionally been accused of the longest dump from one in all these overflows, after sewage was dumped 339 instances into the River Ellen from Plumbland wastewater remedy works in Cumbria for six,896 hours – practically 19 hours on a regular basis.

Severn Trent can also be alleged to have dumped sewage into Whissendine Brook in Rutland from a close-by wastewater remedy works 318 instances for six,646 hours in 2022.

‘The entire factor stinks’

Liberal Democrat atmosphere spokesperson Tim Farron mentioned the rise in monster sewage dumps was a “national scandal”.

“Water company execs are raking in millions in bonuses whilst their pipes leak sewage into our lakes and rivers. The whole thing stinks,” he mentioned.

“These polluting firms are obligated to investigate, yet still no action is taken. You would think after a historic drought these figures would drop. It seems there is no end in sight for the sewage scandal.”

In February Environment Secretary Thérèse Coffey ordered England’s water and sewerage firms to share a “clear plan” to cut back spills from each single storm overflow in a bid to sort out the issue.

But critics derided the plans as “lacklustre” and claimed ministers have been merely rehashing previous plans.

A Defra spokesperson informed Sky News: “We do not recognise these figures. High-frequency spills are defined as those spilling in excess of 60 times per year – the numbers here do not align with the official data.

“This authorities is the primary to take such complete motion on storm overflows – and our new plan for water units out the elevated funding, more durable enforcement and tighter regulation to sort out this difficulty.

“We have recently announced £1.6bn in new, accelerated investment to tackle storm overflows, including £700 million from United Utilities to reduce spills by 7,800 annually.”

Read extra:
Good information on fall in sewage spills solely highlights the size of the problem dealing with water firms
Sewage spills fall by practically a fifth, however it’s ‘not right down to water corporations’ actions’

A United Utilities spokesperson mentioned: “With the largest combined sewer system in the UK and 28% more rainfall than average, we are committed to delivering a step change in performance. We have already reduced spill frequency by 40% since 2020 and we know there is much more to do.

“We have bold plans to ship one of many largest environmental enchancment programmes within the nation and we now have approval to quick monitor that and start to ship £900 million of enhancements early, bringing region-wide advantages, decreasing storm overflows, creating jobs, and boosting the resilience of native communities and the atmosphere.”

A Water UK spokesperson said: “Every water firm is firmly of the view that pressing motion is required to sort out the hurt attributable to storm overflows and are dedicated to delivering bold plans that can assist rework our rivers and coastal waters.

“Water companies are bringing forward £56billion to replumb England in one of the largest infrastructure programmes ever. This includes removing every high-spilling overflow in England, and protecting areas used for bathing.”