Three new measures on storm overflows, announced last
month by Defra, will be added by government
amendment to the Environment Bill later this year. The
Bill will return to Parliament shortly after the
Queen’s Speech, with the new legal duties due to be on
the statute book by the Autumn.
During wet weather storm overflows release diluted
wastewater into rivers, preventing a combination of
sewage and rain from the overloading the sewers.
However, their use has increased in recent years as
climate change has led to greater rainfall and water
infrastructure has not kept pace with population
growth.
The legal duties added to the Environment Bill will
drive the changes needed to improve our water
environment. The three duties are:
- a duty on government to publish a plan by September
2022 to reduce sewage discharges from storm overflows;
- a duty on government to report to Parliament on
progress on implementing the plan; and
- a duty on water companies to publish data on storm
overflow operation on an annual basis.
Environment Minister said:
The concerning issue of untreated sewage in our
rivers demands urgent action. The inclusion of these
measures in the Environment Bill will ensure steps
are taken to tackle unacceptable levels of pollution.
While we cannot get rid of storm overflows overnight,
we are working hard to accelerate progress in this
area to protect our precious water environment and
wildlife.
In addition to new legislation, the recently
established Storm Overflows Taskforce has agreed to
set a long term goal to eliminate harm from storm
overflows and has already taken steps to improve
monitoring and transparency, which is crucial.
The Storm Overflows Taskforce was set up in August 2020
to bring the government, water industry, regulators and
environmental groups together to drive improvements in
this area.
Through the Taskforce, water companies have committed
to increase the number of overflows they will improve
over the next five years and earlier this year the
Taskforce committed to a new long-term goal to
eliminate harm from storm overflows.
Over 800 overflows will be investigated and nearly 800
improved between 2020 and 2025.
The government expects to consult on potential options
for ways to eliminate harm from storm overflows to take
forward later this year.
