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How much raw sewage is released into rivers and the sea, and what are the rules? How much raw sewage is released into rivers and the sea, and what are the rules?
(4 days later)
Water companies released record spills of raw sewage into the sea and rivers in England in 2023.Water companies released record spills of raw sewage into the sea and rivers in England in 2023.
Rules allow a limited discharge of excess sewage during periods of excess rain, but there is also evidence of "dry spills", which can damage the local environment and pose a health risk to swimmers. Firms are allowed to release a limited amount of sewage during periods of excess rain, but there is also evidence of "dry spills", which can damage the local environment and pose a health risk to swimmers.
How much sewage is released into the sea and rivers in England?How much sewage is released into the sea and rivers in England?
Sewage spills into England's rivers and seas by water companies more than doubled in 2023.Sewage spills into England's rivers and seas by water companies more than doubled in 2023.
According to the Environment Agency, there were 3.6 million hours of spills, compared to 1.75 million hours in 2022.According to the Environment Agency, there were 3.6 million hours of spills, compared to 1.75 million hours in 2022.
Water UK, the industry body for sewerage companies, said it was "unacceptable", but that the record levels were due to heavy rain and increased data collection. Water UK, the industry body for sewerage companies, said this was "unacceptable", but argued that the record levels were due to heavy rain and increased data collection.
However, the Environment Agency said that increased rainfall does not override water companies' responsibility "to manage storm overflows in line with legal requirements".However, the Environment Agency said that increased rainfall does not override water companies' responsibility "to manage storm overflows in line with legal requirements".
Some environmental charities blame water companies for a failure to fix leaky pipes and other damaged infrastructure - and criticise the regulator for not forcing them to act.Some environmental charities blame water companies for a failure to fix leaky pipes and other damaged infrastructure - and criticise the regulator for not forcing them to act.
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. Wastewater is usually sent to a sewage treatment works.
But capacity can sometimes be exceeded during heavy rainfall, especially if dry ground cannot quickly absorb large quantities of water.But capacity can sometimes be exceeded during heavy rainfall, especially if dry ground cannot quickly absorb large quantities of 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.
The system is therefore designed to overflow occasionally, and discharge excess wastewater into the sea and rivers.The system is therefore designed to overflow occasionally, and discharge excess wastewater into the sea and rivers.
This is known as combined sewer overflows , external(CSOs) and is allowed. This is called combined sewer overflows , external(CSOs).
However, there is evidence that some water companies also spill sewage when it is not raining.However, there is evidence that some water companies also spill sewage when it is not raining.
Without rainwater to dilute the waste, this can lead to higher concentrations of sewage entering waterways - and is therefore illegal.Without rainwater to dilute the waste, this can lead to higher concentrations of sewage entering waterways - and is therefore illegal.
A BBC investigation suggested there were 388 potential "dry spills" by Thames, Wessex and Southern Water in 2022.A BBC investigation suggested there were 388 potential "dry spills" by Thames, Wessex and Southern Water in 2022.
The BBC also found that untreated sewage was illegally released into Lake Windermere in the Lake District in February 2024 after a fault.The BBC also found that untreated sewage was illegally released into Lake Windermere in the Lake District in February 2024 after a fault.
Water companies which are found to have breached the rules by spilling on dry days or failing to meet other conditions can be fined or prosecuted.Water companies which are found to have breached the rules by spilling on dry days or failing to meet other conditions can be fined or prosecuted.
What is the government doing to tackle sewage discharges?What is the government doing to tackle sewage discharges?
The government announced a plan to improve water quality, external in April 2023.The government announced a plan to improve water quality, external in April 2023.
As part of this, it said polluters could face unlimited fines in the future, which was confirmed in July 2023, external. As part of this, it said polluters could face unlimited fines in the future, external.
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 then-Environment Secretary Therese Coffey said there was "no way we can stop pollution overnight", given the major changes needed to the water system.But then-Environment Secretary Therese Coffey said there was "no way we can stop pollution overnight", given the major changes needed to the water system.
Industry body Water UK has announced plans to almost double spending to pay for upgrades and cut sewage discharges.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 that customer bills would have to rise by £156 a year to cover the cost.It said this would be the "most ambitious modernisation of sewers since the Victorian era", but that customer bills would have to rise by £156 a year to cover the cost.
What are the health risks of swimming in polluted water?What are the health risks of swimming in polluted water?
Swimmers are warned to stay away when untreated sewage is discharged into the sea. In May 2024, a team of the UK's top engineers and scientists warned of the growing public health risk from human faeces in the country's rivers, and called for more regular testing.
The contaminated water could lead to serious illnesses. The presence of faeces can expose people to bacteria such as salmonella and E.coli, which cause diarrhoea and vomiting, or viruses like hepatitis A which can lead to liver infection.
Rowers taking part in the 2024 Oxford and Cambridge Boat Race were told not to swallow any splashed water Rowers taking part in the 2024 Oxford and Cambridge Boat Race were told not to swallow any splashed water after E.coli was found
Rowers taking part in the 2024 Oxford and Cambridge Boat Race were told not to swallow any splashed water Rowers taking part in the 2024 Oxford and Cambridge Boat Race were told not to swallow any splashed water after E.coli was found
Risks include gastrointestinal illnesses, or stomach bugs, which may cause diarrhoea and/or vomiting, as well as respiratory, skin, ear and eye infections, external. Also in May, thousands of residents in Devon were told to drink bottled water after their supply was contaminated with the cryptosporidium parasite - possibly as a result of a faulty valve on private land. Consumption of the parasite can cause prolonged diarrhoea.
Rowers taking part in the 2024 Boat Race between Oxford and Cambridge in London were warned not to enter the Thames after high levels of E. coli were found. How can I check if the sea near me is clean?
Three members of the Oxford men's teamsaid they developed stomach bugs. Every week between May and September, the Environment Agency measures the water quality at "bathing sites" across England, and in some places it issues daily pollution risk forecasts.
How can I know if the sea near me is clean? You can search its website, external by location. There are similar websites, external where you can find out about beaches and bathing water in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland.
Every week between May and September, the Environment Agency measures the water quality at hundreds of "bathing sites" across England, and in some places it issues daily pollution risk forecasts. But outside of these times and locations regularly testing for organisms carrying faecal-oral disease is not carried.
You can search its website, external by location. Campaign group Surfers Against Sewage has created an interactive map, external showing pollution risk warnings more widely along the coast and rivers.
There are similar websites, external 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, external showing pollution risk warnings along the coast and rivers.
How clean are UK waters overall?How clean are UK waters overall?
Sewage spills have only been routinely monitored for a few years, external, so it is difficult to tell exactlyhow they have changed over time. Sewage spills have only been routinely monitored for a few years, external, so it is difficult to tell exactly 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.
In May 2023, the Environment Agency said that 16% of assessed surface waters in England achieved "good" ecological status, external, including:In May 2023, the Environment Agency said that 16% of assessed surface waters in England achieved "good" ecological status, external, including:
14% of rivers and lakes14% of rivers and lakes
14% of rivers and lakes14% of rivers and lakes
19% of estuaries19% of estuaries
19% of estuaries19% of estuaries
45% of coastal waters45% of coastal waters
45% of coastal waters45% of coastal waters
93% of designated bathing waters93% of designated bathing waters
93% of designated bathing waters93% of designated bathing waters
Water quality is generally higher in other parts of the UK, external.Water quality is generally higher in other parts of the UK, external.
In Scotland, around two-thirds of surface waters are classed as having "good" ecological status.In Scotland, around two-thirds of surface waters are classed as having "good" ecological status.
In Wales the figure is 40%, and in Northern Ireland 31%.In Wales the figure 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?
How clean are the UK's rivers and lakes?How clean are the UK's rivers and lakes?
Has the UK's water quality got worse since Brexit?Has the UK's water quality got worse since Brexit?
In August 2022, three French members of the European Parliament said they had asked European Commission to stop the UK polluting the Channel and the North Sea, external.In August 2022, three French members of the European Parliament said they had asked European Commission to stop the UK polluting the Channel and the North Sea, external.
They said that since Brexit, the UK had "chosen to lower its water quality standards".They said that since Brexit, the UK had "chosen to lower its water quality standards".
The UK is no longer bound by EU environmental legislation. But those laws did not directly regulate the frequency or number of sewage discharges.The UK is no longer bound by EU environmental legislation. But those laws did not directly regulate 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", external.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", external.
Related TopicsRelated Topics
SewageSewage
EnglandEngland
Thames WaterThames Water
Environment AgencyEnvironment Agency