England's Sewage Pollution Hits Record 3.6 Million Hours in 2024

New figures reveal worsening sewage discharges despite slight reduction in spill incidents, fueling public outrage and calls for systemic reform.

Raw sewage was discharged into England's waterways for a record 3.6 million hours in 2024, a 0.2% increase from 2023, despite a 2.9% decrease in the number of spills.
Thames Water and Anglian Water reported significant increases in spill durations, with Thames Water's discharges rising by 52% to 298,081 hours.
Water companies have announced a £104 billion investment plan to upgrade infrastructure and reduce spills by nearly half by 2030, with rising bills set to fund these efforts.
Critics argue that years of underinvestment, aging infrastructure, and regulatory failures have led to unacceptable levels of pollution, with campaigners calling for renationalization and stronger oversight.
The government has introduced measures like banning bonuses for polluting companies and increasing penalties, but skepticism persists over the pace and effectiveness of these reforms.