A horrifying new map shows how much sewage is being dumped into UK rivers and seas. According to new data there were more than 3.6 million hours worth of spills from storm overflows pouring into rivers and other waterways in England and Wales last year.
That’s equivalent to a tap running for 411 years non-stop. It’s also a disgusting problem that’s getting much worse rather than better – as the overall figure for 2023 is double the 1.8 million hours in 2022.
The number of spills in the UK has also increased from 384,000 to 464,000. Storm overflows are intended to work as relief valves when the sewerage system is at risk of being overwhelmed.
They empty into rivers and other waterways with a mixture of rain water and sewage. Critics though say that the overflows are used more often than is necessary.
“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. We are better placed than ever before to hold water companies accountable – thanks to intelligence from our new whistleblower portal, our plans to expand our specialised workforce, new enforcement powers, increased water company inspections and new tools to inform our enforcement work.”
Water Minister Robbie Moore said: “I have been clear that sewage pollution in our waters is unacceptable, which is why in just the last few months we announced a consultation to ban water bosses’ bonuses when criminal breaches have occurred, quadrupled company inspections next year, fast-tracked £180m investment to cut spills, launched a whistleblowing portal for water company workers to report breaches, and will soon set out our plans to ban wet wipes containing plastic.
“We demanded that 100% of overflows were monitored by the end of last year as part of our drive to improve transparency.
“Today’s data shows water companies must go further and faster to tackle storm overflows and clean up our precious waterways. We will be ensuring the Environment Agency closely scrutinise these findings and take enforcement action where necessary.”
More sewage and rainwater flowed out of one Southern Water storm overflow than any other in the country last year. The overflow at Lavant wastewater treatment works, which is north of Chichester, West Sussex, spilled for a combined total of 6,542 hours. That’s equivalent to 273 days non-stop.
The Cartmel In Cark Pumping Station in Cumbria operated by United Utilities pumped out the next most waste water last year.
The storm overflow – which leads to the River Eea – was active for a combined 6,472 hours, equivalent to 270 days.
The third most active storm overflow is less than three miles from Stonehenge – which is one of the most visited ancient monuments in Britain.
Wessex Water’s Shrewton Water Recycling Centre in Wiltshire – which goes to the River Till – was open for a combined 6,184 hours (258 days) last year.
That’s followed by South West Water’s Princetown Sewage Treatment Works near Dartmoor prison – into the Blackbrook River – at 5,244 hours 219 days.
Then South West Water’s Dulford Pscombined sewer outflow at 5,213 hours, Yorkshire Water’s Langthorne sewage treatment works – into Cobshaw Dyke – at 5,186 hours, South West Wate’s – Beals Mill overflow into the River Inny at 5,051 hours, Southern Water’s Kings Somborne wastewater treatment works – into a tributary of the River Test – at 4,995 hours, and United Utilities’ Staveley wastewater treatment works into the River Kent at 4,846 hours.
Water company, overflow (river), location: Hours
1. Southern Water, Lavant wastewater treatment works (River Lavant & Gw Via Wetland), near Chichester: 6,542 hours
2. United Utilities, Cartmel In Cark Pumping Station (River Eea), near Cartmel, Lake District: 6,472 hours
3. Wessex Water, Shrewton Water Recycling Centre (River Till), near Stonehenge: 6,184 hours
4. South West Water, Princetown Sewage Treatment Works (Blackbrook River(S)), near Dartford Prison: 5,244 hours
5. South West Water, Dulford Pscombined sewer outflow/Eo (Weaver (S)), northeast of Exeter: 5,213 hours
6. Yorkshire Water, Langthorne sewage treatment works (Cobshaw Dyke), between Ripon and Darlington: 5,186 hours
7. South West Water, Beals Mill No 2 combined sewer outflow (River Inny), eastern Cornwall: 5,051 hours
8. Southern Water, Kings Somborne wastewater treatment works (Tributary Of The River Test), north of Southampton: 4,995 hours
9. United Utilities, Staveley wastewater treatment works (River Kent), near Kendal: 4,846 hours
10. Southern Water, Ham Lane Lewes Settles Storm Tank (The Tidal River Ouse), Lewes, East Sussex: 4,831 hours
11. South West Water, Salcombe Regis wastewater treatment works combined sewer outflow (Salcombe Regis Stream), near the coast, east of Exeter: 4,828 hours
12. United Utilities, Plumbland wastewater treatment works (River Ellen), northern part of the Lake District: 4,763 hours
13. United Utilities, Gilcrux wastewater treatment works Gilcr (Bullclose Beck), near Maryport, Cumbria: 4,561 hours
14. South West Water, Bratton Fleming sewage treatment works ((S) River Yeo (Barnstaple)), near Barnstaple, Devon: 4,349 hours
15. Wessex Water, Spaniel’s Bridge Pumping Station (Tributary Of River Avon), near Devizes, Wilts: 4,211 hours
16. Southern Water, West Wellow wastewater treatment works (River Blackwater), near Romsey, Hants: 4,161 hours
17. South West Water, Ebford Pumping Station (River Clyst (Estuarine)), near Exeter, Devon: 4,089 hours
18. United Utilities, Gleaston Castle combined sewer outflow (Gleaston Beck), near Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria: 4,067 hours
19. Wessex Water, Hurdcott Wastewater Treatment Works (River Bourne), near Salisbury, Wilts: 3,980 hours
20. South West Water, Brayford sewage treatment works (River Bray(S)) near Barnstaple, Devon: 3,939 hours
