Hospital admissions for waterborne diseases surge by 60% amid record sewage spills
Labour vows to take action against water companies as hospital admissions for diseases like dysentery and Weil's disease soar, highlighting the urgent need for regulatory reform.
Overview
- Hospital admissions for waterborne diseases in England have increased by 60% since 2010, with over 3,200 cases reported in 2022-23.
- Record sewage spills in 2023, discharging sewage for more than 3.6 million hours, have exacerbated the public health crisis.
- Labour pledges to put rogue water companies into 'special measures' to force them to clean up pollution and protect public health.
- Proposed reforms include giving the regulator powers to block bonuses for water company bosses until pollution is addressed, and introducing criminal charges for repeated law violations.
- Government insists it is taking 'tough action' to hold water companies accountable, with measures including increased inspections and investment in sewage spill reduction.