England's Sewage Discharges Hit Record 3.6 Million Hours in 2024

New data highlights worsening pollution crisis as water companies face criticism over rising bills, slow progress, and calls for systemic reform.

The Environment Agency reported raw sewage was discharged into England's waters for a record 3.6 million hours in 2024, up 0.2% from 2023.
While the number of spills decreased by 2.9%, their average duration increased, reflecting ongoing reliance on storm overflows originally intended for emergencies.
Water companies have pledged £104 billion in investments by 2030, including £12 billion to reduce storm overflow spills, but public trust remains low.
Water bills are set to rise by an average of 26% to fund infrastructure improvements, sparking public frustration over financial burdens and perceived inaction.
Campaigners and opposition parties are intensifying calls for tougher regulation and public ownership as the government introduces measures like banning bonuses for polluting executives.