Last month, Ministers launched a consultation to discuss plans to implement the largest storm sewage reduction program in history and eliminate the issue.
It was welcomed by the Environmental Audit Committee. Government chiefs have made water a priority and are working to protect it.
Storm Overflows Discharge Plan Consultation seeks to “revolutionise” how water companies will address the problem of untreated wastewater.
The plans will place strict limits on the storm overflows water companies can use and require them to completely eliminate any harm that sewage discharges cause to the environment.
Rebecca Pow, Environment Minister said that water quality is a top concern. We are the first government in the world to demand that water companies take steps towards reducing storm overflows. We are also consulting on the biggest ever program to address storm sewage releases.
“We are setting ambitious targets and delivering on the Environment Act. We are also cracking down on water companies that are not doing their part to deliver the clean water the people of this nation want.
This builds upon a wide range of actions to address water quality.
The Government is also consulting about targets to improve water quality, reduce nutrient pollution, and reduce pollution from metals from abandoned mines. These targets will deliver cleaner water and push all water companies further to fix overflows. This will also help to generate the largest ever investment by water companies in the revolutionisation of the sewer system.
Since 2015, 48 water companies have been prosecuted by the Environment Agency. These prosecutions have resulted in fines of more than 137 millions.
Ofwat and the Environment Agency launched a major investigation last year. They found evidence that some water companies in England might not be complying to their permits. This could have led to excess sewage being released into the environment, even during dry periods.
Last year saw some of the most severe fines, including a record breaking 90 million for Southern Water in August for illegal discharges. This is a clear indication that polluters will be penalized for any damage done to the environment.
Rebecca Pow, Environment Minister, writes that water quality is a major priority for me.
Like many other parts of England, the West Midlands and Staffordshire have long been affected by an unacceptable and excessive use of storm overflows. Our Victorian sewerage infrastructure is struggling to cope with a growing population, more frequent heavy rains and climate change. This has often led to raw sewage being released in our waters. I am determined to stop this.
In a new policy statement, we have already stated our expectations that water companies take steps to reduce storm overflows. This statement specifies that Ofwat (the water regulator) must ensure that the water industry delivers for consumers and the environment. We are the first to take such a step and we are also responsible for passing the Environment Act, which is a game-changer in terms of water quality.
The Act has a set of measures that will reduce storm surges in this area and throughout England. Water companies like Severn Trent Water, South Staff Water will be subject to new duties. This is to reduce the damage from storm overflows. The Act also imposes duties on both the government and water companies to improve monitoring, reporting, transparency, and accountability regarding the use storm overflows. These measures were based on the Storm Overflows Taskforce, which I established. The Environment Agency will monitor 100 percent of storm overflows next year, as the network monitoring is improving exponentially.
We are currently consulting on a variety of ambitious targets under Environment Act. These targets include cleaning up our water by reducing nitrogen and phosphorus as well as pollution originating from locations like the Rivers Tame, Cole, and reducing sediment.
We have gone further, and launched a consultative on the single largest program of work in human history to address these storm surges. This is great news for our swimming waters, and it complements the other actions we are taking.
I have repeatedly stated that the amount of sewage being discharged by water companies into our rivers cannot be tolerated. They need to up their game.
Water quality is not a simple issue. However, this government is taking all necessary steps to ensure that this important agenda is being pursued.
