Sewage spills falling in England
There was a 2.9% year-on-year decrease in the number of sewage spills in England in 2024, new data reveals.
Data published by the Environment Agency shows spill durations increased by 0.2% year-on-year to 3,614,428 hours.
In addition, the data shows that in 2024:
The average number of spills per overflow was 31.8 compared to 33.1 in 2023 and 32.6 in 2020;
39% of storm overflows spilled less than 10 times in 2024 compared to 40.5% in 2023 and 40% in 2020;
12.5% of storm overflows did not spill at all in 2024 compared to 13.9% in 2023 and 13% in 2020.
In January, the Environment Agency worked with partners to secure the largest commitment of actions and investment from water companies to clean up England’s waterways since privatisation. The Water Industry National Environment Programme (WINEP) sets out more than 24,000 actions water companies must take over the next five years to meet their legal requirements for the environment, representing a £22.1bn investment.
Water companies have committed to upgrading over 2,500 storm overflows – which is expected to reduce annual sewage spills by 85,000. Water companies will also install 3,500 monitors at emergency overflows sites, further protecting and enhancing 13,500 km of river.
Chair of Environment Agency Alan Lovell said: “This year’s data shows we are still a long way off where we need to be to stop unnecessary sewage pollution. But it also provides vital intelligence that drives targeted investment. Using our Event Duration monitoring analysis, we have worked with partners to secure £10.2bn from water companies to improve storm overflows in England.
“While these improvements get underway, we expect water companies to do what customers pay it to do: ensure their existing assets are maintained and operating properly.”
Environment Secretary Steve Reed added: “These figures are disgraceful and 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.
“We’ve already placed water companies under tough special measures through the landmark Water Act, banning unfair bonuses for polluting water bosses and introducing criminal charges for lawbreakers. “But we will go further and faster. That’s why this government has secured over £100bn of private sector investment to upgrade our crumbling infrastructure and not only clean up our rivers, lakes and seas for good.”
