Up-to-date information on pollution to go public

Data on sewage discharges through storm overflow pipes will be revealed, as Emily Beament reports

SURFERS and swimmers in the Westcountry and beyond will be able to check out the latest information about sewage discharges at bathing sites all year round, under efforts to tackle water pollution.

The move comes from a joint industry-Government group to curb pollution from storm overflows, which are used in extreme weather to prevent sewers becoming overloaded with a combination of sewage and rainwater.

During heavy rain, overflows release diluted wastewater into rivers or the sea rather than letting it back up into people’s homes, but water infrastructure has not kept pace with development and the increasing downpours as a result of climate change, officials said.

Sewage pollution harms aquatic species in rivers, and can hit human health in river and coastal bathing spots, and the storm overflows taskforce said it had agreed to set a longterm goal to eliminate harm from the outlets.

As part of the taskforce’s work, water companies have agreed to make real-time data on sewage discharges available at bathing sites all year round, so surfers, swimmers and other users can check the latest information, especially after heavy rainfall.

Water companies will also speed up work to install monitoring devices to create a complete picture of their activity by 2023, and have identified opportunities to increase the number of overflows they will improve in the next five years.

They will also publish annual monitoring data on their websites about use of storm overflows so progress in reducing their use can be tracked.

Since 2010, 884 storm overflows have been improved to reduce their environmental impact and how often they are used, and a further 798 improvements are planned for the period 2020-25, the Environment Department said.

Environment minister Rebecca Pow said: “Making sure we have clean rivers is an absolute priority and I have been clear that I want to cut down on the water sector’s reliance on storm overflows.”

Emma Howard Boyd, chair of the Environment Agency, added that

Making sure we have clean rivers is an absolute priority REBECCA POW, ENVIRONMENT MINISTER

publishing easily accessible data was an important step in reversing overuse of storm overflows but was only the beginning, saying “people want to see progress”. She said: “Water quality in England’s 240,631 kilometres of river is everyone’s responsibility but water companies have a pivotal role.”

Christine McGourty, industry body Water UK’s chief executive, said: “Water companies are passionate about protecting and enhancing our nation’s rivers, and over the next five years we will invest £1.1 billion in improving storm overflows.”