Water companies tipped sewage into rivers and coastal waters for a record 3.61 million hours last year, according to official government data released today (27).
The data from the Environment Agency showed that although the number of spills were down each one lasted longer on average – resulting in a higher total number of hours.
In their annual report on sewage outflows in England they said the increase in sewage outflows was due to a lack of capacity in the pipes that carry effluent to sewage treatment plants, as well as overstretched treatment plants and heavy rain last year.
Environment Secretary Steve Reed called the figures ‘disgraceful’
He said: “They are a stark reminder of how years of underinvestment have led to water companies discharging unacceptable levels of sewage into our rivers, lakes, and seas,”
Sewage was spilt for 3.614 million hours in 2024 compared to 3.606 million hours in 2023.
Some spilling can be legal, but concern has been mounting amongst scientists about the harm that regular sewage spilling is causing the country’s aquatic life.
In England rainwater and sewage share the same pipes so in some instances, when there is too much rain, treatment works can be overwhelmed, and sewage is spilled via overflow points into the country’s rivers, lakes and seas to prevent a back up to the system.
This practice is legal but water companies have been accused of spilling in sewage under dry conditions in breach of their permits.
CEO of River Action, James Wallace, said: “A year on from last year’s catastrophic pollution figures, the true scale of the UK’s water crisis is only now coming to light. The figures have barely budged, testament to the deepening sewage scandal.”
