England's waterways hit by record sewage spills in 2023

Regulators and water companies face increasing pressure as sewage discharge doubles, sparking environmental and public health concerns.

Sewage discharge into England's rivers and seas exceeded 3.6 million hours in 2023, marking a significant increase from the previous year.
Water companies are under scrutiny for potentially illegal sewage discharges, with investigations ongoing but no conclusive findings yet.
Public outrage grows as environmental and health risks from untreated sewage spills become more apparent.
Government and regulators urged to take immediate action, with calls for increased investment and reform of water industry practices.
Water companies commit to multi-billion pound investments to reduce sewage discharges, but critics demand accountability and immediate improvements.