Government Urged to Act Against Water Companies Over Sewage Spills

The Liberal Democrats have called for immediate action against water companies following new data revealing a significant number of permit breaches related to sewage spills. The figures indicate a troubling trend, with breaches occurring almost daily, although they remain lower than the peak of 841 incidents recorded in 2020. Environment spokesperson Tim Farron criticized the companies for profiting while failing to adhere to regulations, emphasizing that taxpayers should not bear the financial burden of these violations. Water companies are permitted to release sewage during heavy rainfall to prevent sewer backups, as rainwater and sewage share the same infrastructure. However, the government has pledged to hold these firms accountable, with a Defra spokesperson asserting that the new administration will not overlook the issue of sewage being discharged into natural water bodies. They have also committed to ensuring that investments are protected from being redirected towards bonuses or dividends. In response to the situation, Water UK, representing the water industry, claimed that compliance rates are high, with approximately 99% of sewage treatment works and storm overflows meeting their permits. However, recent revelations from Greenpeace have raised concerns about transparency, as emails indicated that former Tory water minister Robbie Moore attempted to downplay the increase in sewage spills. Data from the Environment Agency (EA) shows that raw sewage spills in England have doubled in duration, reaching four million hours in 2023, with a 54% increase in the number of spills to 464,000. Despite pressure from the minister to obscure these figures, the EA refused to comply, highlighting ongoing tensions between government oversight and industry practices.