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Why is raw sewage pumped into the sea? Why is raw sewage pumped into the sea?
(about 5 hours later)
There have been recent pollution warnings for dozens of beaches in England and Wales after water companies discharged untreated sewage and wastewater into the sea.There have been recent pollution warnings for dozens of beaches in England and Wales after water companies discharged untreated sewage and wastewater into the sea.
This has led to renewed criticism of the water firms by water safety campaigners.This has led to renewed criticism of the water firms by water safety campaigners.
Why is sewage ever pumped into the sea and rivers?Why is sewage ever pumped into the sea and rivers?
Most of the UK has a combined sewerage system, meaning that both rainwater and wastewater (from toilets, bathrooms and kitchens) are conveyed in the same pipes to a sewage treatment works. Most of the UK has a combined sewerage system, meaning that both rainwater and wastewater (from toilets, bathrooms and kitchens) are carried in the same pipes to a sewage treatment works.
The Environment Agency (EA), which covers England, says capacity can be exceeded at times during heavy rainfall, especially when the dry ground is unable to absorb the water quickly. This could lead to inundation of sewage works and potential flooding of homes, roads and open spaces.The Environment Agency (EA), which covers England, says capacity can be exceeded at times during heavy rainfall, especially when the dry ground is unable to absorb the water quickly. This could lead to inundation of sewage works and potential flooding of homes, roads and open spaces.
For this reason, the system is designed to overflow occasionally and discharge excess wastewater directly to the sea and rivers.For this reason, the system is designed to overflow occasionally and discharge excess wastewater directly to the sea and rivers.
This practice is known as combined sewer overflows (CSOs) and is permitted.This practice is known as combined sewer overflows (CSOs) and is permitted.
The EA requires water companies to monitor the overflows and they can be investigated and fined if they fail to meet certain requirements.The EA requires water companies to monitor the overflows and they can be investigated and fined if they fail to meet certain requirements.
Sewage pollution alerts issued for almost 50 beaches in England and WalesSewage pollution alerts issued for almost 50 beaches in England and Wales
Last year Southern Water was fined a record £90m for dumping billions of litres of untreated sewage into the sea in Hampshire, Kent and West Sussex.Last year Southern Water was fined a record £90m for dumping billions of litres of untreated sewage into the sea in Hampshire, Kent and West Sussex.
How often is sewage released?How often is sewage released?
Raw sewage was pumped into rivers and seas about 375,000 times in 2021, according to the Environment Agency.Raw sewage was pumped into rivers and seas about 375,000 times in 2021, according to the Environment Agency.
The practice has prompted a major investigation into sewage treatment works.The practice has prompted a major investigation into sewage treatment works.
In 2022, Ofwat, the water regulator for England and Wales, which carried out the investigation, started enforcement cases against six water companies over discharging sewage into the environment at times when this should not have happened.In 2022, Ofwat, the water regulator for England and Wales, which carried out the investigation, started enforcement cases against six water companies over discharging sewage into the environment at times when this should not have happened.
How can I know what is happening?How can I know what is happening?
The Environment Agency (EA) monitors pollution across England. It says that between May and September "weekly assessments measure current water quality, and at a number of sites daily pollution risk forecasts are issued". You can search their website by location.The Environment Agency (EA) monitors pollution across England. It says that between May and September "weekly assessments measure current water quality, and at a number of sites daily pollution risk forecasts are issued". You can search their website by location.
There are similar websites where you can find out about beaches and bathing water in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland.There are similar websites where you can find out about beaches and bathing water in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland.
Campaign group Surfers Against Sewage (SAS) has created an interactive map of the UK coastline which shows pollution risk warnings along the UK's coast and rivers.Campaign group Surfers Against Sewage (SAS) has created an interactive map of the UK coastline which shows pollution risk warnings along the UK's coast and rivers.
What are the health risks?What are the health risks?
Whenever water companies discharge untreated sewage into the sea, swimmers are warned to stay away.Whenever water companies discharge untreated sewage into the sea, swimmers are warned to stay away.
The contaminated water could lead to serious illnesses for both humans and animals.The contaminated water could lead to serious illnesses for both humans and animals.
The government website says open water swimming can increase the risk of gastrointestinal illnesses, or stomach bugs, which may cause diarrhoea and/or vomiting, as well as respiratory, skin, ear and eye infections.The government website says open water swimming can increase the risk of gastrointestinal illnesses, or stomach bugs, which may cause diarrhoea and/or vomiting, as well as respiratory, skin, ear and eye infections.
People were advised not to swim at Weston-super-Mare and other nearby beachesPeople were advised not to swim at Weston-super-Mare and other nearby beaches
What is being done about it?What is being done about it?
Last year, Conservative MPs were criticised after 256 voted to reject an attempt by the House of Lords to place legal duties on water companies to reduce sewage discharges.Last year, Conservative MPs were criticised after 256 voted to reject an attempt by the House of Lords to place legal duties on water companies to reduce sewage discharges.
They argued safeguards already existed and that new measures would have cost billions.They argued safeguards already existed and that new measures would have cost billions.
Environment Minister Rebecca Pow told MPs that eliminating storm sewage overflows would cost between £150bn and £660bn, but she didn't say how she arrived at the figures.Environment Minister Rebecca Pow told MPs that eliminating storm sewage overflows would cost between £150bn and £660bn, but she didn't say how she arrived at the figures.
A report by the Environment Agency and Ofwat said the complete separation of wastewater and storm water systems would cost between £350bn and £600bn, increasing household bills between £569 and £999 per year, as well as being disruptive and complex to deliver.A report by the Environment Agency and Ofwat said the complete separation of wastewater and storm water systems would cost between £350bn and £600bn, increasing household bills between £569 and £999 per year, as well as being disruptive and complex to deliver.
However, it's not clear the Lords' proposal would have required water companies to completely replace the sewerage infrastructure.However, it's not clear the Lords' proposal would have required water companies to completely replace the sewerage infrastructure.
In March, the government said it wanted to tackle sewage pollution which included reducing "most damaging" storm overflows by 75% by 2035, and 80% of all sewage discharges by 2050.In March, the government said it wanted to tackle sewage pollution which included reducing "most damaging" storm overflows by 75% by 2035, and 80% of all sewage discharges by 2050.
But Dr Imogen Napper, a postdoctoral researcher in marine pollution at the University of Plymouth, says for such goals to be met more "investment and accountability is required from water companies".But Dr Imogen Napper, a postdoctoral researcher in marine pollution at the University of Plymouth, says for such goals to be met more "investment and accountability is required from water companies".
"The protection of our environment, and the community that enjoy it, is paramount," she told BBC News, adding it was "environmental vandalism" for raw sewage to "enter our environment due to [companies] cutting corners and a lack of appropriate infrastructure"."The protection of our environment, and the community that enjoy it, is paramount," she told BBC News, adding it was "environmental vandalism" for raw sewage to "enter our environment due to [companies] cutting corners and a lack of appropriate infrastructure".
A spokesperson for Water UK - a body representing UK water industry - said water firms "agree there is an urgent need" for action and were investing more than £3bn to improve overflows as part of a wider national environmental programme between 2020 and 2025.A spokesperson for Water UK - a body representing UK water industry - said water firms "agree there is an urgent need" for action and were investing more than £3bn to improve overflows as part of a wider national environmental programme between 2020 and 2025.