A new interactive map reveals the places where raw sewage has been dumped into waterways across Gedling borough.
The map has been created by the Rivers Trust and is designed to show if your nearby waterway is ‘fit to play in’.
The map uses data from event duration monitors which show the length of time over which sewage was dumped into waterways across the country.
Sewage can sometimes be pumped out of the sewage system and into rivers, streams and the sea through safety release valves which are known as ‘combined sewer overflows’.
Sewage leaves these valves when there is heavy rainfall – to prevent waste from backing up into homes.
These so-called ‘storm overflows’ are only supposed to take place under ‘exceptional circumstances’.
The new map reveals one sewer storm overflow near Burton Joyce spilled 93 times into the River Trent for a total of 1107 hours.
A sewer storm overflow also spilled 88 times into Ouse Dyke for a total of 190 hours.
The map also reveals the activity of storm overflow pipes near Calverton, Woodborough and Bestwood Village.
There has been growing anger over recent days after 268 MPs voted not to include a proposed change to the Environment Bill which would have resulted in water companies being fined for dumping sewage into rivers and the sea.
Gedling MP Tom Randall took to social media to defend his vote and dismissed claims it was a vote to put sewage into the rivers and sea.
He said: “Section 141A in Amendment 45 would have placed a duty on sewerage undertakers in England and Wales to demonstrate progressive reductions in the harm caused by the discharges of untreated sewage.
“On the face of it, this is very attractive. But there were two problems with it: the amendment came with no plan on how it might be delivered and there was no impact assessment. Nor do we know the cost.
“The Government took the view that it would have been irresponsible to put this into the Bill without a detailed plan, signing a blank cheque on behalf of bill payers.
“The cost of eliminating storm overflows entirely would potentially be enormous,” said Mr Randall.
You can view the interactive map below.
