Water companies discharged raw sewage into the nation’s waterways 464,000 times last year – a 54% rise on 2022.
A total of 464,056 sewage spills from monitored storm overflows were reported in England in 2023, the Environment Agency said.
This is up 54% from 301,091 in 2022 and is the highest number since current data began in 2016, ahead of the previous peak of 403,375 spills in 2020.
Giles Bristow, chief executive of campaign group Surfers Against Sewage, said “Another year, another total s***show from the greedy, incompetent mess that is our water industry.
“With such large figures being thrown about it can be easy to become numb to the reality of the situation. But don’t fall for the spin – the deluge of s*** pouring into our rivers and seas is a generational scandal where a broken system, fuelled by greed, is causing catastrophic harm to lives, livelihoods and the natural world.”
“With 464,056 discharges of untreated sewage last year in England, our spineless authorities must finally see the industry’s promises for the smokescreen that they are.
“No more stern words from lecterns and slaps on the wrist; it’s time for punishments that directly impact the industry’s bottom line and the profiteering decisions being made at the top.”
There were an average of 33 instances of sewage spills per storm overflow in England last year, up from 23 in 2022.
This is the second highest annual average since data began in 2016, with the highest being 35 spills per overflow in 2019.
Environment Agency director of water Helen Wakeham said: “Whilst it is disappointing that water companies have reported an increase in sewage spills in 2023, it is sadly not surprising.
“We are pleased to see record investment from the water sector, but we know it will take time for this to be reflected in spill data – it is a complex issue that won’t be solved overnight.
“No other country has the level of monitoring we do, with 100% of storm overflows in England now fitted with a monitor.”
Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey has urged the Government to declare a national environmental emergency.
Labour’s Shadow Environment Secretary Steve Reed has today asked the Government “what are you waiting for” and challenged them to introduce an immediate ban on bonuses for polluting water bosses.
A Water UK spokeswoman, who represents the water firms, said: “These results are unacceptable and demonstrate exactly why we urgently need regulatory approval to upgrade our system so it can better cope with the weather.
“We have a plan to sort this out by tripling investment which will cut spills by 40% by 2030 – more than double the Government’s target.
“We now need the regulator Ofwat to give us the green light so that we can get on with it. The Government should do its bit by delivering the ten commitments it has previously made, which would eliminate tens of thousands of sewage spills.”
