Sewage spills into the sea doubles in a year
The data for 2023 shows a 54% increase in the number of sewage spills compared to 2022
Last updated 27th Mar 2024
The director of water for the Environment Agency has said it is 'disappointing' but 'not surprising' to see a rise in sewage spills across England.
New figures reveal there were an average of 33 sewage spills per storm-overflow in England last year - up from 23 in 2022 - making it the second highest annual average since data began in 2016, with the highest at 35 spills per overflow in 2019.
Storm overflows allow pollution to be released to prevent problems building in the sewage network.
Figures show - for example - the Ilsham Valley Pumping Station near Torquay spilt 140 times for a combined 2,003 hours and an interactive map can be found here
The Maer pumping station in Exmouth spilt 74 times for 883 hours, which is where swimmer Jo Bateman is taking local firm South West Water to court over pollution incidents.
The 62 year old is trying to claim just under £400 in compensation after pollution repeatedly prevented her from enjoying her sea-swimming hobby.
Next month an independent film-maker will start work on a documentary about her fight to raise awareness of the issue - with her legal process now underway.
She said: "I'm very honoured that people think there's a story in me to be told - I would really love to hear this story get out there.
"Let's increase the pressure, lets make everyone aware of what is going on and hold the water companies to account."
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.
3.61 million hours of monitored sewage spills were reported in 2023, more than double the 1.75 million hours in 2022 and above the previous high of 3.10 million hours in 2020.
South West Water, which is investing £38 million in Exmouth, has unveiled a water plan for 2025-2030 which says: "While storm overflows act as a safety valve to protect homes and businesses, you have told us we need to reduce reliance on storm overflows during rainfall. You’ve also highlighted concerns about our record on pollutions and we agree that any pollution is one pollution too many."
It adds: "We launched WaterFit in April 2022, a programme dedicated to improving water quality at rivers and seas across our region, and to protecting the environment. As part of this programme, we now have monitors at 100% of our storm overflows. Our plans continue this work, and commit to completing our investment programme by 2040 – a decade ahead of government requirements."
Today's Environment Agency report says: "The data for 2023 shows a 54% increase in the number of sewage spills compared to 2022, and a 13% increase compared to 2020. The increase in spills compared to 2022 is partly because 2023 was named by the Met Office as the 6th wettest year since its records began in 1836."
Speaking after today's report was released, 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.
"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 added:“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.”