Storm overflows are a key part of the sewage network which allow water companies to release excess storm water into our rivers, seas and other waterways.
However, this rain water is often mixed with sewage, making them a controversial issue. Collectively, there were 384,568 spills from these storm overflows in England and Wales last year for a combined total of over 2.3 million hours, according to data from the Environment Agency.
Last month, Cullercoats Bay was one of 14 places in the UK where the Environment Agency advised people not to swim due to having poor bathing water quality, while Northumberland Labour leader Scott Dickinson criticised Northumbrian Water after sewage was discharged from four storm overflows close to four of the county's most popular beaches. However, none of those are among the most active storm overflows in our region.
Read more: Fresh warning of sewage discharges at four of Northumberland's most popular beaches
In the North East there were 29,416 spills last year for a combined total of 105,304 hours. The most active discharge point in our region was an outlet at Colwell sewage treatment works near Hexham.
There were 174 spills into the waterway there in 2022, running for a total of 3,759 hours. That’s equivalent to 157 days straight.
The next most active point in our region was at Allendale sewage treatment works on the River East Allen. The 142 spills at that outlet there ran for a combined 2,692 hours, which is equivalent to 112 days straight.
That’s followed by Bellingham sewage treatment works on the River North Tyne which ran for 2,515 hours, equivalent to 105 days. Then it’s Howdon sewage treatment works on the Tyne at 1,425 hours (equivalent to 59 days).
Across the North East, 11 storm overflows pumped sewage into waterways for 1,000 hours or more in 2022. There are more than 1,500 storm overflows in the region.
The most active sewage discharge point in England and Wales pumped waste into a river for the equivalent of 325 days straight last year. The sewage overflow point at Station Row Cso Pontyrhyl Bridgend discharged 340 times for a combined total of 7,805 hours in 2022.
Bettws Road Cso Llangeinor, also in Bridgend, discharged 350 times for a total of 7,785 hours. That's the equivalent of 324 days straight and is the next highest total. Workington’s Plumbland Wwtw discharge point was the next most active at 6,896 hours (287 days).
That’s followed by Whissendine Wwtw in Rutland (6,646 hours, or 277 days), St Paul's Road Cso in Wirral (5,582 hours, or 233 days), Lune Street Pumping Station in Lancaster (5,336 hours, or 222 days), and Kirk Bampton Wwtw in Allerdale (5,124 hours, or 214 days).
Tessa Wardley, director of communications and 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."
You can find the discharge points near you along with how many hours they were used in 2022 using our interactive map. Either scroll around to explore or type in your postcode to zoom into your area.
