Sewage spills into England’s rivers and seas by water companies more than doubled last year. There were over 3.6 million hours worth of spills from storm overflows into rivers and other waterways in England and Wales in 2023.
That’s equivalent to a tap running for 411 years non-stop, and double the 1.8 million hours in 2022. The number of spills, meanwhile, increased from 384,000 to 464,000.
Storm overflows are intended to work as relief valves when the sewerage system is at risk of being overwhelmed. They empty into rivers and other waterways with a mixture of rainwater and sewage. Critics though say that the overflows are used more often than is necessary.
You can see how long storm overflows were open in your area by using our interactive map:
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More sewage and rainwater flowed out of one Southern Water storm overflow than any other in the country last year.
The overflow at Lavant wastewater treatment works, which is north of Chichester, West Sussex, spilled for a combined total of 6,542 hours. That’s equivalent to 273 days non-stop.
The Cartmel In Cark Pumping Station in Cumbria operated by United Utilities pumped out the next most waste water last year.
The storm overflow – which leads to the River Eea – was active for a combined 6,472 hours, equivalent to 270 days. The third most active storm overflow is less than three miles from Stonehenge – which is one of the most visited ancient monuments in Britain.
Wessex Water’s Shrewton Water Recycling Centre in Wiltshire – which goes to the River Till – was open for a combined 6,184 hours (258 days) last year.
That’s followed by South West Water’s Princetown Sewage Treatment Works near Dartmoor prison – into the Blackbrook River – at 5,244 hours 219 days. Then South West Water’s Dulford Pscombined sewer outflow at 5,213 hours, Yorkshire Water’s Langthorne sewage treatment works – into Cobshaw Dyke – at 5,186 hours, South West Wate’s – Beals Mill overflow into the River Inny at 5,051 hours, Southern Water’s Kings Somborne wastewater treatment works – into a tributary of the River Test – at 4,995 hours, and United Utilities’ Staveley wastewater treatment works into the River Kent at 4,846 hours.
Environment Agency Director of Water Helen Wakeham said: “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% 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.”
Water Minister Robbie Moore said: “I have been clear that sewage pollution in our waters is unacceptable, which is why in just the last few months we announced a consultation to ban water bosses’ bonuses when criminal breaches have occurred, quadrupled company inspections next year, fast-tracked £180m investment to cut spills, launched a whistleblowing portal for water company workers to report breaches, and will soon set out our plans to ban wet wipes containing plastic.
“We demanded that 100% of overflows were monitored by the end of last year as part of our drive to improve transparency. Today’s data shows water companies must go further and faster to tackle storm overflows and clean up our precious waterways. We will be ensuring the Environment Agency closely scrutinise these findings and take enforcement action where necessary.”
