UK Government launch Storm Overflows Discharge Reduction plan

Defra have announced the new storm overflows discharge reduction plan, which sets stringent new targets to protect people and the environment. This will require water companies to deliver the largest infrastructure programme in water company history.

As we have previously covered, the announcement follows a series of reports regarding overflow discharges. These have included reports of faulty sewage monitors (which the government stated was inaccurate), large numbers of overflows operating following heavy rain, impacts of sewage on shellfish, and claims by French politicians of impacts to marine life.

The UK Government news release stated that:

Water companies will face the strictest targets on pollution from sewage ever under a new plan to tackle sewage discharges in our waters, set out by government today.

The government’s plan will require them to deliver their largest ever environmental infrastructure investment – £56 billion capital investment over 25 years – into a long term programme to tackle storm sewage discharges by 2050. The plan frontloads action in particularly important and sensitive areas including designated bathing waters and high priority ecological sites.

The targets will mean they need to take measures such as increasing the capacity of their networks and treating sewage before its discharged to protect public health and prevent pollution, whilst massively reducing all discharges. Failure to meet these targets could see them face substantial fines or having to return money to customers.

Water companies will have to achieve targets set out in the plan:

  • by 2035, water companies will have to improve all storm overflows discharging into or near every designated bathing water; and improve 75% of overflows discharging to high priority nature sites
  • by 2050, this will apply to all remaining storm overflows covered by our targets, regardless of location

Overflows that are causing the most harm will be addressed first to make the biggest difference as quickly as possible, and water companies will be expected to consider nature-based solutions in their planning. 

Defra’s news release can be found here and the policy paper here.

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