Data dump: Figures show level of sewage in area’s waterways

Sewage flowed into rivers for thousands of hours

A HOLDERNESS storm overflow drained sewage into a waterway for the equivalent of 161 days last year, according to a charity’s figures.

Data from The Rivers Trust showed the Skeffling sewage storm overflow discharged foul water into Skeffling Clough Drain 153 times for 3,885 hours in 2020.

One in Atwick, near Hornsea, overspilled 129 times for 3,302 hours, about 137 days, while sewage drained from another at Hollym 164 times for 3,191 hours, around 133 days.

The only storm overflow which discharged in Hull last year was from one east of Queen Elizabeth Dock, pumping sewage into the River Humber six times for eight hours.

The data comes after Labour MPS and others claimed the government was failing to tackle the spillages following a backlash over Conservatives voting down proposals to toughen rules last week.

A Downing Street spokesperson said the government considered the practice unacceptable, but added ending it would cost £150bn in sewer network upgrades. The River Trust’s figures showed a storm overflow at Brough spilled sewage into the River Humber 117 times for 19 hours last year.

Storm overflows allow excess water to drain into waterways to stop them being overwhelmed, but regulations state they should only be used in “exceptional circumstances”.

One at Melton discharged 331 times for 954 hours, one at Ferriby High Road near North Ferriby 52 times for 92 hours and one at Hessle 89 times for 382 hours.

An overflow at Hook, near Goole, spilled 120 times for 115 hours while one at Gilberdyke did so 130 times for 387 hours, both into the River Ouse.

One in Market Weighton’s Holme Road spilled into waterways 77 times for 389 hours while two in Beverley discharged into the River Hull a combined 74 times for 329 hours.

Overflows at Bridlington, Hornsea and Withernsea spilled sewage into the North Sea 90 times for 194 hours, four for two and 125 for 379 respectively.

The amendment to the Environment Bill forcing companies to separate surface from foul water before it is discharged from storm overflows was rejected by 268 MPS to 204.

Shadow Environment Secretary Luke Pollard claimed ministers were making excuses for instructing Conservative MPS to block it. Hull’s three Labour MPS Emma Hardy, Karl Turner and Diana Johnson all shared social media posts critical of the move.

But a Downing Street spokesperson said measures were already being taken to stop raw sewage dumping and pledged to continue to listen to clean water campaigners.

Conservative Beverley and Holderness MP Graham Stuart said he also supported tougher measures but opposed part of the amendment requiring sewer system upgrades he claimed would cost between £5,000 and £20,000.

The Department for Environment (DEFRA) stated the country’s ageing sewage network meant storm overflow spills would never be stopped entirely without billions in works.