Last year Merseyside's rivers suffered with nearly 32,000 hours worth of sewer spillages.
The sewerage network in our country regularly discharges treated sewage as well as overflows of untreated sewage and storm water into our rivers.
Collectively, there were 384,568 spills from the discharge points last year for a combined total of more than 2.3 million hours, according to data from the Environment Agency.
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In Merseyside alone there were 5,526 spills last year for a combined total of 31,500 hours. The most active sewage discharge point in our region was St Paul's Road Combined sewage overflow) Cso in Birkenhead Wirral.
There were 240 spills there in 2022, running for a total of 5,582 hours. That’s equivalent to 233 days straight. In fact, only four other discharge points in England and Wales were more active than St Paul's Road Cso last year.
The next most active point was at St Helens Road Cso in St Helens.
The 137 spills there ran for a combined 2,010 hours, which is equivalent to 84 days straight.
Leasowe Road Cso had the next longest run time at 1,814 hours, or 76 days.
That’s followed by Croft Drv Shore Rd Cso Caldy in Wirral at 1,764 hours (74 days), Bromborough, also in Wirral, at 1,609 hours (67 days), and Lodge Lane Combined Sewer Overflow in St Helens, at 1,348 hours (56 days).
You can find the discharge points near you along with how many hours they were used in 2022 using our interactive map below.
Either scroll around to explore or type in your postcode to zoom into your area.
Tessa Wardley, Director of Communications & Advocacy at the Rivers Trust said:"Sewage pollution in our rivers has gone unchecked for too long, but we know now that raising awareness and increasing public pressure has forced government, regulators, and water companies to change course.
“For the public to know where their worst performing outfalls are is absolutely vital in keeping that pressure on those in power to direct improvements to the right places to do what's best for the environment, wildlife, and people."
