Sewage Spills Pollute England's Waterways Nearly 300,000 Times in a Year
Despite record drought conditions, water companies in England discharged raw sewage into rivers and seas from storm overflows nearly 300,000 times last year, raising concerns from environmental advocates.
England's water companies released raw sewage into rivers and seas from storm overflows nearly 300,000 times last year, despite the country experiencing its driest spring in over a century and its sunniest and warmest year on record.
According to data, the storm overflows – which are designed to be used only in extreme wet weather conditions – were activated 291,492 times in 2025, a 35% reduction from the record spills seen in 2024. However, the average number of discharges per overflow was still high at 20.5, down from 31.8 the previous year.
Environmental campaigners have criticized the frequent use of these storm overflows, arguing that they should not have been utilized so extensively during a prolonged drought period. The discharges have raised concerns about the impact on water quality and the health of aquatic ecosystems in England's rivers and coastal areas.
"The fact that water companies are still releasing raw sewage into our rivers and seas hundreds of thousands of times a year is a scandal," said a spokesperson for the advocacy group Surfers Against Sewage. "This practice needs to end, and water companies must be held accountable for the damage they are causing to our precious natural environments."
The storm overflow system was designed as a safeguard to prevent sewage from backing up into homes and businesses during periods of heavy rainfall. However, the system has been criticized for being overused, with water companies sometimes relying on it even when there is no immediate risk of flooding.
"The storm overflow system is clearly being abused, and water companies need to invest in upgrading their infrastructure to prevent these kinds of discharges from happening, regardless of the weather conditions," said Dr. Emily Stevenson, a water quality expert at the University of Exeter.
The data on sewage spills has reignited calls for stricter regulations and enforcement measures to hold water companies accountable for their environmental impact. Advocates are urging the government to take decisive action to address the issue and protect the health of England's waterways.
"We can't continue to allow water companies to treat our rivers and coastlines like open sewers," said the Surfers Against Sewage spokesperson. "The time for action is now, and we need to see real, tangible steps taken to end this unacceptable practice."
Source: The Guardian
