Sewage spills from storm overflows increased 54 per cent in 2023 compared to the previous year, new figures from the Environment Agency show.
Storm overflows dump untreated sewage into rivers and the sea, usually during heavy rainfall to stop sewers backing up.
Wednesday’s new Environment Agency figures show 464,056 sewage spills from monitored storm overflows were reported in England in 2023 - the highest number since records began in 2016.Some 3.61 million hours - equivalent to 410 years - of monitored sewage spills were reported last year, the data shows.
This is more than double the 1.75 million hours recorded in 2022, and above the previous high of 3.10 million hours in 2020.
The EA says it is “disappointing” water companies have reported an increase in sewage, but “not surprising”.
It comes amid high levels of public concern and anger over the state of England’s waterways and beaches.
The EA figures, which include data from all 10 water and sewerage companies, show spills were up 54 per cent last year, compared to 2022.
This is partly because 2023 marked England’s sixth-wettest year since records began.
Sewage spill in England in 2022 were 19 per cent down on the previous year, but that was largely due to the year’s below average rainfall.
However last year ‘s sewage spills were 13 per cent ahead of the previous peak of 403,375 spills in 2020 - a year that saw comparable rainfall.
Environment Agency director of water Helen Wakeham said on Wednesday: “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 per cent 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.”
All storm overflows are now fitted with monitors to record sewage spills, up from just seven per cent in 2010.
There has been rising public concern at the state of England’s rivers and seas, with bathers regularly not able to swim at their favourite beaches due to pollution and assessments showing none of the country’s rivers are in good overall condition.
Pollution from water companies is – along with farming – a key cause of low water quality in the country’s rivers.
Anger has been directed at water company executives being given high salaries and bonuses despite the condition of the country’s waterways and coasts.Ahead of the publication of the new Environment Agency figures, Labour on Wednesday called for an immediate ban on bonuses of polluting water companies.
Shadow environment secretary Steve Reed accused the Conservatives of being “too weak” to get tough with water company bosses, saying they only launched a consultation on stopping bonuses for executives of firms which allow serious illegal pollution, instead of an immediate ban.
He pledged a Labour government would put problem water companies “under tough special measures”.
The Government announced a ban on water company board members and chief executives if a firm has committed serious criminal breaches in February, and said it would come into effect later this year.
The Environment Agency said it is already conducting the largest ever criminal investigation into potentially widespread rule-breaking at thousands of sewage treatment plants.
