Environment minister gives water companies 14 days to set out sewage dumping plans

Water company chiefs have been given two weeks by the government to set out “significant improvements” to prevent sewage being dumped into the UK’s rivers and beaches.

Ranil Jayawardena, the new Environment Secretary, told the Commons: “The volume of sewage spewed out by water companies is completely unacceptable and the public have rightly shown their outrage.

“In my first day in office, I told water chief executives that it is not good enough and I have instructed them to write to me formally by 21 September with a plan on how they are going to make significant improvements.”

Jayawardena added that he has spoken to the Environment Agency and Ofwat and told them to use “every enforcement power” they have to ensure the water companies comply.

“I will not hesitate to take further action if I do not see the pace of change that this House expects,” he added.

Data released in August revealed water companies have pumped raw sewage into Britain’s seas and rivers for more than nine million hours since 2016.

Leading vet Marc Abraham warned dog walkers to stop pets from going in the sea while raw sewage is rife across the country.