How much sewage is spilled in rivers, lakes and the sea near you?

According to data from the environment agency, water companies demolished raw sewage for a record time of 3.61 meter hours in the sea and rivers in England in 2024.

Rules allow limited discharge of sewage during additional rainfall periods, but environmental groups are concerned that levels are danger to wildlife and a health risk for swimmers.

The sewage of England lakes, rivers and seas by water companies rose slightly in 2024 to 3.614 million hours to 3.606 million hours to 3.606 million hours in 2023. However, the environment agency stated that the total number of spreads was low – which means that the average spills in 2024 had longer time.

The industry body UK for sewerage companies has earlier stated that spills are “unacceptable”, but that was a plan to eliminate water sewage flowing in all waterways “that included significant infrastructure upgrades.

The July data of the environment agency also shows that pollution incidents by water companies, resulting in splied sewage and other contaminants, may be a record level hit.

Of these, 75 were serious incidents – where there is aquatic and human health threat – and Temes water was responsible for 33 of them.

Spill data is released separately for developed nations. Northern Ireland currently does not monitor real -time spread and although Scotland has made efforts to increase monitoring, it collects data from only 27% spill sites.

In Wales, the hours of spills were reduced by 11%in 2024, but there was ten years of highness in pollution incidents.

Most of the UK has a joint sewerage system, which means that rainwater and waste water – from toilets, bathrooms and kitchens – is transported in the same pipe.

Wastewater is usually sent for a sewage treatment functions.

But the capacity can sometimes be crossed during heavy rainfall, especially if the dry land cannot quickly absorb a large amount of water.

This may cause sewage functions and potential floods of houses, roads and open spaces.

Therefore the system is sometimes designed to overflow, and excess waste water is discharged in the sea and rivers. Joint sewer overflow (CSO).

According to the regulator of the industry, some water companies are “issuing sewage regularly” – known as dry spilling, outside the time of heavy decline. It has been stated that it is a result of companies failing to manage their waste water treatment plants, leading to moving towards flowing into rivers and lakes before treatment.

Last year, BBC opened In 2022, 6,000 potential dry spreads by England water companies.

Even if it is raining, the water company permit also requires a minimum quantity of sewage to treat sewage before releasing them.

Azing infrastructure has been identified by both the industry, government and campaigners as one of the main causes of sewage spills.

At the end of last year, Wat agreed that Jal companies in England and Wales would spend a total of £ 104BN in the next five years and along with upgrading – safe water supply will also go to deal with sewage spill especially – £ 20BN.

Industry Body, Water UK stated that it would be “the most ambitious modernization of sewers since the Victorian era”.

But environmental campaigners have been criticized that the bills of customers have had to increase significantly to help pay for a part of these changes, while the water companies continue. Paying dividends to shareholders,

Since Labor came to the government in summer of 2024, it has also announced many new policies:

• Restricted water company bonus
• An independent water commission launched under the chairmanship of former Deputy Bank of England Governor Sir John Kanalif
• Ban on wet wet rich wet – to reduce obstructions

Every week between May and September, the environment agency measures water quality Bathing site It releases daily pollution risk forecasts across England, and at some places. It is also proposed to expand the bath season which will provide year round tests.

you can Find its website From the place. there are Similar websites Where you can find out about beaches and bath water in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland.

And last year at the end of Water UK – Industry Body – launched National Storm overflow hub Where almost real -time discharge can be seen at all overflow points in England. But it does not contain data on the amount of sewage discharge or the presence of organisms carrying feces in water.

Sewage is spills Only regular monitoring is done For a few years, so it is difficult to mention how they have changed over time.

However, the total water quality has been monitored for decades. It is also responsible for other sources of pollution such as agriculture.

In May 2023, the Environment Agency said that 16% of surface water assessed in England achieved “good” ecological statusInvolved:

• 14% of rivers and lakes
• 19% Estuaries
• 45% coastal water
• 93% of designated bath water

Water quality is usually high In other parts of Britain.

In Scotland, about two-thirds of surface water is classified as a “good” ecological position.

The figure in Wales is 40%, and 31%in Northern Ireland.