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Why is sewage released into rivers and the sea? Why is sewage released into rivers and the sea?
(14 days later)
Three of the biggest water companies are suspected of discharging sewage into the UK's waterways on dry days in breach of their permits, according to a BBC investigation.Three of the biggest water companies are suspected of discharging sewage into the UK's waterways on dry days in breach of their permits, according to a BBC investigation.
England's Environment Agency is carrying out its own criminal investigation into potentially illegal discharges by all water companies.England's Environment Agency is carrying out its own criminal investigation into potentially illegal discharges by all water companies.
The UK's environment watchdog also suspects the government and water regulators have broken the law over how they regulate sewage releases.The UK's environment watchdog also suspects the government and water regulators have broken the law over how they regulate sewage releases.
All of this follows extensive criticism of water firms over the last few years about the high number of raw sewage discharges and the impact on the UK's waterways.All of this follows extensive criticism of water firms over the last few years about the high number of raw sewage discharges and the impact on the UK's waterways.
Why is sewage released into the sea and rivers?Why is sewage released 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 carried in the same pipes.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.
Usually, all the waste is carried to a sewage treatment works.Usually, all the waste is carried to a sewage treatment works.
But the Environment Agency (EA), which covers England, says capacity can sometimes be exceeded during heavy rainfall, especially when dry ground is unable to quickly absorb water.But the Environment Agency (EA), which covers England, says capacity can sometimes be exceeded during heavy rainfall, especially when dry ground is unable to quickly absorb water.
This could lead to inundation of sewage works and potential flooding of homes, roads and open spaces.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 into the sea and rivers.For this reason, the system is designed to overflow occasionally and discharge excess wastewater into 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.
However, there is also evidence that some water companies are spilling sewage on days when it is not raining. Without rainwater to dilute the sewage this can lead to higher concentrations of sewage entering our waterways - and therefore is illegal.However, there is also evidence that some water companies are spilling sewage on days when it is not raining. Without rainwater to dilute the sewage this can lead to higher concentrations of sewage entering our waterways - and therefore is illegal.
A recent BBC investigation suggests 388 potential "dry spills" by Thames, Wessex and Southern Water in 2022.A recent BBC investigation suggests 388 potential "dry spills" by Thames, Wessex and Southern Water in 2022.
If water companies are found to have breached their permit by spilling on dry days or failing to meet other conditions of their permit they can be fined or prosecuted.If water companies are found to have breached their permit by spilling on dry days or failing to meet other conditions of their permit they can be fined or prosecuted.
Sewage pollution alerts issued for almost 50 beaches
What is the government doing to tackle the problem?What is the government doing to tackle the problem?
In April, the government announced its new plan to improve water quality.In April, the government announced its new plan to improve water quality.
As part of this plan, it said polluters could face unlimited fines in the future. This was confirmed in July.As part of this plan, it said polluters could face unlimited fines in the future. This was confirmed in July.
The government says penalties from water companies will be re-invested into a new Water Restoration Fund which aims to improve water quality.The government says penalties from water companies will be re-invested into a new Water Restoration Fund which aims to improve water quality.
But the environment secretary Therese Coffey admitted there was "no way we can stop pollution overnight", given the major changes needed to the water system. But Environment Secretary Therese Coffey said there was "no way we can stop pollution overnight", given the major changes needed to the water system.
She warned that building more infrastructure such as super sewers could add "hundreds to people's bills". The Times reported that bills could increase by as much as 40% by the end of the decade. Industry body Water UK has announced plans to almost double spending to pay for upgrades and cut sewage discharges.
It said this would be the "most ambitious modernisation of sewers since the Victorian era", but customer bills would have to rise by £156 a year.
How can I know if the sea is clean?How can I know if the sea is clean?
The Environment Agency 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 its website by location.The Environment Agency 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 its 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 has created an interactive map showing pollution risk warnings along the coast and rivers.Campaign group Surfers Against Sewage has created an interactive map showing pollution risk warnings along the coast and rivers.
What are the health risks?What are the health risks?
Swimmers are warned to stay away when untreated sewage is discharged into the sea.Swimmers are warned to stay away when untreated sewage is discharged into the sea.
The contaminated water could lead to serious illnesses.The contaminated water could lead to serious illnesses.
Risks include gastrointestinal illnesses, or stomach bugs, which may cause diarrhoea and/or vomiting, as well as respiratory, skin, ear and eye infections.Risks include gastrointestinal illnesses, or stomach bugs, which may cause diarrhoea and/or vomiting, as well as respiratory, skin, ear and eye infections.
Last year people were advised not to swim at Weston-super-Mare and other nearby beachesLast year people were advised not to swim at Weston-super-Mare and other nearby beaches
Is Brexit to blame?Is Brexit to blame?
Last year three French members of the European Parliament said they had written to the European Commission, asking it to take action to stop the UK from polluting the Channel and the North Sea.Last year three French members of the European Parliament said they had written to the European Commission, asking it to take action to stop the UK from polluting the Channel and the North Sea.
Since Brexit, they said, the UK "has chosen to lower its water quality standards".Since Brexit, they said, the UK "has chosen to lower its water quality standards".
The UK is no longer bound by EU environmental laws. But those laws were not directly regulating the frequency or number of sewage discharges.The UK is no longer bound by EU environmental laws. But those laws were not directly regulating the frequency or number of sewage discharges.
According to Friends of the Earth, the UK's Environment Act 2021 - which replaced the EU laws - brought "some useful changes" which included "efforts to stop companies filling our waterways with sewage".According to Friends of the Earth, the UK's Environment Act 2021 - which replaced the EU laws - brought "some useful changes" which included "efforts to stop companies filling our waterways with sewage".
How clean are UK waters?How clean are UK waters?
Sewage spills have only been routinely monitored for a few years, so it is difficult to tell how they have changed over time.Sewage spills have only been routinely monitored for a few years, so it is difficult to tell how they have changed over time.
However, overall water quality has been monitored for decades. This also accounts for other sources of pollution, such as agriculture.However, overall water quality has been monitored for decades. This also accounts for other sources of pollution, such as agriculture.
The Environment Agency says in England 16% of surface waters achieved "good" ecological status, including:The Environment Agency says in England 16% of surface waters achieved "good" ecological status, including:
14% of rivers and lakes14% of rivers and lakes
19% of estuaries19% of estuaries
45% of coastal waters45% of coastal waters
93% of designated bathing waters93% of designated bathing waters
Water quality is generally higher in other parts of the UK.Water quality is generally higher in other parts of the UK.
In Scotland, 63% of surface waters are classed as having "good" ecological status.In Scotland, 63% of surface waters are classed as having "good" ecological status.
In Wales this is 40%, and in Northern Ireland 31%.In Wales this is 40%, and in Northern Ireland 31%.
How clean are the UK's rivers and lakes?How clean are the UK's rivers and lakes?
Related TopicsRelated Topics
SewageSewage
Thames WaterThames Water