The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has drafted information and guidance on storm overflows, in collaboration with Ofwat and the Environment Agency. This covers existing policy and legislation, and it aims to support water and sewerage companies and the regulators in managing and regulating storm overflows in England.

The associated consultation is open until 24 January 2025.

Photo credit: Joseph Russo

Meanwhile, Water UK has launched a ‘world first’ interactive map showing the operation of every single storm overflow in England.

The ‘National Storm Overflows Hub’ will allow anglers, kayakers and swimmers to see, to the minute, when and where a storm overflow has discharged, showing the operation of all 14,187 storm overflows in England. Alongside the map, the Hub includes an extensive question and answer page to help inform the public.

The Hub has been created by Water UK, the water industry trade body representing every water company in the UK, in partnership with Stream, a cross-industry group working to drive transparency, innovation and collaboration through open and shared data.