Wessex Water working to eradicate storm overflows after sewage discharges
Heavy rain earlier this week sparked sewage discharges nationwide
The company that manages the sewage system across the west country says it's investing millions of pounds every month into reducing storm overflows, after raw sewage was released into the sea and rivers across the country.
Pollution warnings have been in place at swimming spots all over the UK this week after heavy rainfall, including at Warleigh Weir just outside Bath and at Bristol's floating harbour.
Elsewhere in the country there are warnings at popular spots including Teignmouth in Devon, Cowes on the Isle of Wright and Eastbourne in Sussex.
Wessex Water, who cover most of Somerset, Dorset and Wiltshire as well as Bristol, say they are working hard to end the problem.
"Storm overflows, which are permitted by the Environment Agency, are sometimes used during heavy rainstorms to protect properties and roads from sewer flooding by releasing stormwater into watercourses," a spokesperson told us.
“While it’s extremely rare for storm overflows to cause a sewage pollution incident, we’re committed to completely eliminating the discharge of any untreated sewage.
"Every month we’re investing £3million to reduce storm overflows, starting with those which discharge most frequently or which have any environmental impact.”
In Wessex Water's own words, storm overflows are a hangover from the past and ideally would not exist.
They were built by the Victorians and kick in during heavy rainfall to prevent flooding as the majority of UK sewage systems carry rainwater as well as waste.
Wessex Water argue such overflows have minimal "or no ecological impact" because the waste water released is diluted by rain, but they agree "that they have no place in the 21st century."