Defra is seeking views on the government’s proposals to enhance the monitoring of storm overflows and final effluent discharges into watercourses. This consultation closes on 23 May 2023.

Consultation description

The Environment Act 2021 introduced requirements for sewerage undertakers to:

• monitor sewerage assets and the impact they have on their local environment, and publish data from those monitors
• publish data from event duration monitors within an hour of operation

We are seeking views from specialised invited stakeholders on technical proposals to require water companies to carry out continuous water quality monitoring. This will include installing water quality monitors at all sewerage assets at which it is possible to do so.

We are also seeking views on our plans to require water companies to publish data in near-real time, showing when and for how long storm overflow discharges occur.

As this is a technical consultation, responses will be considered from invited consultees. If you have any questions about the consultation, but you have not been invited to contribute, email defra.helpline@defra.gov.uk for assistance.