England sewage spills hit record 3.6m hours last year

Water companies released raw sewage into England’s rivers and seas for a record 3.61 million hours last year, a slight increase on 2023.
The data released by Environment Agency on Thursday showed that although the number of spills was down each spill lasted longer on average – resulting in a higher total number of hours.
Some spilling can be legal, but concern has been mounting amongst scientists about the harm that regular sewage spilling is causing the country’s aquatic life.
Water UK, the industry body, said sewage spills are a “disgrace” but has committed to a programme of investment worth £104bn over the next five years.
“These figures are disgraceful and are a stark reminder of how years of underinvestment have led to water companies discharging unacceptable levels of sewage into our rivers, lakes, and seas,” said Environment Secretary Steve Reed.

Courtesy: BBC