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Sewage Pollution
06 September 2022
Lead MP
George Eustice
Debate Type
Ministerial Statement
Tags
EconomyAgriculture & Rural Affairs
Other Contributors: 54
At a Glance
George Eustice raised concerns about sewage pollution in the House of Commons. A government minister responded. Other MPs also contributed.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Government Statement
Secretary of State George Eustice announced the Government's comprehensive strategy to address sewage discharges from storm overflows, emphasising the Environment Act 2021 which mandates water companies to reduce environmental harm caused by these discharges. The current investment stands at £3.1 billion to improve 800 storm overflows across England by 2025, aiming for a 25% reduction in sewage discharges. Monitoring of storm overflows has significantly increased from only 5% monitored in 2016 to almost 90% now and will reach 100% next year. The Environment Agency and Ofwat have initiated extensive investigations and prosecutions against water companies, securing £140 million in fines since 2015. By 2035, designated bathing waters must meet strict standards for public health, with a target of significant reductions at high-priority sites by the same year. The overall plan involves an estimated £56 billion investment over 25 years to address these issues.
Caroline Lucas
Green
Brighton Pavilion
Question
Lucas questioned the Government's complacency and urgency regarding sewage discharges, highlighting the delays in addressing pollution until 2035 for designated areas and 2050 elsewhere. She also criticised the legalisation of sewage discharge during non-heavy rainfall periods, cuts to the Environment Agency under a previous Minister, and dividends awarded to shareholders. Additionally, she raised concerns about compensation for businesses negatively impacted by such discharges.
Minister reply
Eustice defended the Government's prioritisation of this issue since his appointment as Secretary of State in 2020. He explained that long-term infrastructure changes are necessary and investing now is crucial to prevent sewage from backing up into homes. While acknowledging cost concerns, he emphasised fair funding through Ofwat's regulatory measures and targeted investments towards high-priority sites starting with bathing waters by 2035.
Peter Bottomley
Con
Worthing West
Question
Mr Bottomley questioned whether nationalised industries would have allowed sufficient investment and inquired about the level of knowledge held by companies, regulators, and the Environment Agency regarding sewage discharges.
Minister reply
The Secretary of State stated that it was only under this Government's monitoring requirements that the extent of the problem became apparent. He highlighted that previous Governments had not adequately monitored the issue, leading to a lack of recognition of its scale until now.
Jim McMahon
Lab Co-op
Oldham West, Chadderton and Royton
Question
Mr McMahon criticised the Government for allowing sewage discharges into beaches, playing fields, streams, and bathing waters. He pointed out that 18 spills will occur during his speech's duration and accused the water companies of profiting while dumping raw sewage.
Minister reply
The Secretary of State responded by stating that this is the first Government to increase monitoring and set a £56 billion investment plan to tackle sewage discharges. He emphasised that previous Governments had not prioritised this issue as much.
Robert Goodwill
Con
Scarborough and Whitby
Question
Mr Goodwill asked whether the Secretary of State agreed that private sector investment has led to improvements in water treatment works, citing specific examples in Scarborough.
Minister reply
The Secretary of State concurred with Mr Goodwill's statement, acknowledging the investments made by the private sector and emphasising that monitoring was not as robust under nationalisation.
Meg Hillier
Lab Co-op
Hackney South and Shoreditch
Question
Ms Hillier questioned why prosecutions and fines were not leading to quicker investments to prevent sewage discharges, citing a specific incident in the River Lea.
Minister reply
The Secretary of State explained that this is the first Government to require proper monitoring for storm overflows and to bring prosecutions against water companies.
Neil Hudson
Con
Epping Forest
Question
Mr Hudson thanked the Secretary of State for his clarity in addressing sewage discharges, criticising the Liberal Democrats' approach.
Minister reply
The Secretary of State responded without further elaboration.
Tim Farron
Lib Dem
Westmorland and Lonsdale
Question
Mr Farron raised specific instances of sewage discharges in different locations, questioning the legality of these actions and the water companies' profits.
Minister reply
The Secretary of State noted that the Environment Act addresses the issues highlighted by Mr Farron, including regulation of dividends based on environmental performance.
Rebecca Pow
Con
Taunton Deane
Question
Ms Pow thanked her right hon. Friend for prioritising sewage discharge issues and emphasised the importance of regulator actions and water company accountability.
Minister reply
The Secretary of State commended Ms Pow's work on the Environment Act, which grants Ofwat new abilities to scrutinise dividend awards.
Rosie Duffield
Ind
Canterbury
Question
Ms Duffield expressed concern over sewage discharges affecting her constituency and invited a Minister to meet local groups.
Minister reply
The Secretary of State acknowledged the record fine imposed on Southern Water and indicated willingness for a Minister to visit Canterbury upon request.
Jesse Norman
Con
Hereford and South Herefordshire
Question
Asks about the River Wye being threatened by phosphate pollution, which crosses borders between Wales and England, and suggests future administrations should press cross-border issues for improvement.
Minister reply
Acknowledges the cross-border issue and mentions ongoing consultation on reducing nutrient pollution from agriculture and sewage treatment works.
Maria Eagle
Lab
Liverpool Garston
Question
Raises concerns about significant sewage releases into the River Mersey by United Utilities and demands quicker infrastructure investment.
Minister reply
States that £3.1 billion will be invested up to 2025 on overflows, leading to a 25% reduction in discharges.
Martin Vickers
Con
Brigg and Immingham
Question
Questions whether targets set for reducing sewage discharge are adequate, particularly in Cleethorpes.
Minister reply
Emphasises the need to balance bill impacts with investment, stating that £3 billion will be spent by 2025 and a review is planned for 2027.
Emma Lewell
Lab
South Shields
Question
Raises issue of sewage dumping on beaches in her constituency and questions the £660 billion cost estimate for sewer upgrades.
Minister reply
Reiterates that the full removal of storm overflows would cost up to £600 billion, but the Government is investing £56 billion to target harmful discharges.
Question
Asks for Welsh Government responsibility in addressing sewage discharge issues around Anglesey.
Minister reply
States that England has set an example with its storm overflow discharge reduction plan and calls on the Welsh Government to play their part.
Andy McDonald
Lab
Middlesbrough and Thornaby East
Question
Describes ecological disaster in Tees bay involving dead marine life, pyridine levels, and dredging concerns.
Minister reply
Orders investigation by Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science which concludes that it is likely caused by a natural algal bloom event.
Question
Highlights combined sewer overflow issues in his constituency, suggesting the origin of the problem lies with Victorian drainage systems.
Minister reply
Notes that new housing developments have often ended up plumbed back into the sewer system and water companies will prioritise separating these systems.
Luke Pollard
Lab Co-op
Plymouth Sutton and Devonport
Question
Asks for South West Water to publish a full list of sewage outlets intended to be closed.
Minister reply
Mentions increased monitoring, which led to prosecutions against companies, and notes that 100% coverage will be achieved.
Question
Raises issues regarding overflows in the Isle of Wight and suggests bringing forward legal timescales for action.
Minister reply
Differentiates between water companies failing to abide by permit conditions and the issue of long-term investment infrastructure.
Khalid Mahmood
Lab
Birmingham, Perry Barr
Question
The Secretary of State continues to talk about the discharges and how he is trying to catch up with the water companies, but the reality is that we should be surcharging the water companies for the continuous abuse of our rivers, streams, play areas, seas, and everywhere this gets into. He suggests bringing prosecutions where a company is in breach of its permits, but if they cannot pay the surcharge, he should bring this back into public ownership.
Minister reply
We have brought many prosecutions since 2015 and levied fines of about £140 million on the industry. In one case, that precipitated a change in ownership of a water company. The right thing to do is bring prosecutions where a company is in breach of its permits.
Huw Merriman
Con
Bexhill and Battle
Question
The Secretary of State’s plan prioritises bathing waters in near-term investments, but may I ask him to ensure that the areas that do not have good-quality bathing have a higher degree of prioritisation?
Minister reply
I absolutely give my hon. Friend that assurance. Our discharge reduction plan prioritises bathing waters in those near-term investments.
Kate Osborne
Lab
Jarrow
Question
While water companies such as Northumbria Water have made on average £2 billion profit a year since privatisation, filthy raw sewage is being dumped into our playing fields, beaches and waters. Will the Secretary of State act on this immediately or is he content with environmentally criminal behaviour?
Minister reply
We are not content with criminal behaviour; we are bringing record numbers of prosecutions. The Environment Act 2021 gives us new powers, and Ofwat is currently consulting on measures linking dividend payments to environmental performance.
Tim Loughton
Con
East Worthing and Shoreham
Question
What we need is better inspection and enforcement by the Environment Agency, and better explanations from water companies when spills occur. If they are lacking, the companies need to be penalised.
Minister reply
We require water companies to make available to the Environment Agency all discharge data from storm overflows, and to publish it in near real time for the public. We shall continue to bring prosecutions where there are breaches of licence conditions.
Mike Amesbury
Lab
Warrington South
Question
Despite 12 years of Tory government, tonnes of sewage are discharged daily by United Utilities in my constituency. The current system is not working.
Minister reply
I am the first Secretary of State ever to publish a plan such as this. In 2020, I instructed officials to change the strategic policy statement for Ofwat, which prioritised reduction of storm overflows.
Maldon
Question
What progress is being made to require water companies to provide additional investment for microbiological treatment to prevent things like E. coli contamination?
Minister reply
We are requiring water companies to use techniques that will disinfect water to prevent E. coli counts in aquatic environments.
Jeremy Corbyn
Ind
Islington North
Question
All these years of privatisation and the billions paid out in dividends have meant not enough investment, leading to excessive sewage discharges. Should we bring our water industry into public ownership?
Minister reply
The original vision was for publicly listed companies on the London stock exchange, but private equity operators took over. We are changing legal powers through the Environment Act 2021 to strengthen regulation.
Duncan Baker
Con
Orkney and Shetland
Question
Can the Secretary of State confirm that without our work, we would never have highlighted improper use of storm overflows?
Minister reply
When I became Secretary of State, I prioritised this long before it was an issue in the media. Many Members played a crucial role in making sure that we got the legislation right.
Barry Sheerman
Lab
Huddersfield
Question
Water privatisation has been a miserable failure, and most water companies are owned by foreign investment companies.
Minister reply
The Government have changed our legal powers through the Environment Act 2021 to strengthen regulation and require improved monitoring. We are now bringing record numbers of prosecutions.
Bill Wiggin
Con
North Herefordshire
Question
Please will he use his time in office to stop Natural England from pursuing the moratorium policy?
Minister reply
We published proposals to make changes to deal with this issue on a strategic level before the summer recess, and we may need legislative changes as challenges highlight a legacy of EU law.
Clive Efford
Lab
Eltham
Question
Why has the situation got worse over 33 years since privatisation?
Minister reply
The failure to address storm overflows goes back much further. This is a legacy of Victorian infrastructure, and no Government down the decades properly grasped it.
Robbie Moore
Con
Keighley and Ilkley
Question
Constituents in Ilkley are suffering from repeated sewage spills into the River Wharfe due to a malfunctioning manhole cover. Does the Secretary of State agree that Yorkshire Water needs to address this issue urgently?
Minister reply
The Environment Agency is prioritising investigations into around 2,200 sewage treatment works and will focus on such challenges as raised by the MP.
Clive Betts
Lab
Sheffield South East
Question
A constituent's home was damaged due to sewage overflow caused by heavy rainfall. Yorkshire Water refuses compensation, citing outdated legislation. Should we amend laws so that water companies are responsible for compensating affected residents?
Minister reply
The incident may be linked to a failure in the sewage infrastructure rather than storm overflows. The MP is advised to write regarding the specific case.
Question
What can be done about the River Gipping which has become polluted with algae and shopping trolleys? Who should take responsibility for improving its condition?
Minister reply
Local authorities handle street drainage infrastructure, while the Environment Agency manages fluvial flood risk. Both entities often collaborate on addressing such issues.
Richard Foord
Lib Dem
Honiton and Sidmouth
Question
South West Water received a one-star rating from the Environment Agency but executives still got bonuses worth £2.2 million over two years. How does the Secretary of State feel about this situation?
Minister reply
The Environment Act 2021 grants Ofwat new powers to tie dividend payments with environmental performance and addresses storm overflow challenges.
Question
In Cornwall, the problem of sewage pollution affecting shell fishermen is serious. Should water companies face unlimited fines and criminal penalties if they do not comply with their obligations?
Minister reply
A record number of investigations and prosecutions are being conducted against non-compliant water companies. The new Environment Act 2021 also tackles agricultural diffuse pollution.
Valerie Vaz
Lab
Walsall and Bloxwich
Question
Pollution incidents must be treated as strict liability offences with the Environment Agency having immediate powers to stop such discharges. How does the Minister feel about this suggestion?
Minister reply
The Environment Agency has all necessary powers to prosecute, fine, and require changes. The issue of accurate data is being addressed through new monitoring.
Question
Pollution incidents in North Devon are down by 83% this year compared to last year due to improved monitoring. Does the Secretary of State agree that misinformation about this issue can harm coastal businesses?
Minister reply
The new plan prioritises accurate data and distinguishes between storm water discharge from foul water discharges for environmental impact.
Mary Foy
Lab
City of Durham
Question
Northumbrian Water discharged large amounts of raw sewage into rivers in Durham last year. Does the Minister believe that cuts to the Environment Agency's budget have impacted monitoring and enforcement?
Minister reply
The Environment Agency has increased grant funding since 2010, and cost recovery for monitoring is through permits issued.
Question
Is it prudent to eliminate all storm overflows given the potential financial burden of £600 billion, which would significantly increase household water bills?
Minister reply
The Government's plan prioritises harmful discharges with an investment of £3 billion until 2025 and £56 billion overall.
Fleur Anderson
Lab
Putney
Question
Wet wipes are causing significant pollution in the Thames. When will the results of the consultation on banning non-biodegradable wet wipes be released?
Minister reply
The Government is consulting on steps to deal with non-biodegradable wet wipes, and consultations typically conclude within nine to 12 months.
Question
Severn Trent Water has committed to cutting discharges by 85% by the end of 2024. Should these companies face consequences if they do not meet their commitments?
Minister reply
The Government is working closely with water companies, and many are accelerating investment plans discussed with Ofwat.
Liz Twist
Lab
Blaydon and Consett
Question
It must be apparent from the response to the news of the combined sewer overflows that the public, our constituents, do not believe we are doing enough to stop them happening. Last year, the Government had the chance to go further in the Environment Act 2021, but did not do so. People are concerned about the impact on their health and the environment. What assessment has the Secretary of State made of the health impact of CSOs, and will he look at speeding up the timetable for stopping them?
Minister reply
The Environment Act addresses those issues, and this Government and Conservative Members voted for the changes that put in place the legal powers we need to address the challenge. We are already talking to water companies about bringing forward investment into the current pricing review period. There will be more than £3 billion-worth of investment up until 2025 and a review in 2027 whether we can accelerate the plan further.
Question
I am very proud to have the Rivers Usk and Wye in my constituency but, as has already been said, the Wye flows from my constituency into England and back again. Last year, I asked the then Environment Minister, my hon. Friend the Member for Taunton Deane (Rebecca Pow), to chair a roundtable of all parties with her counterpart in the Welsh Government. She kindly agreed to that, but the Welsh Labour Minister told me there was no value in such a meeting. Can the Secretary of State advise me on how we can drag the Welsh Government to the table and engage with them on this issue?
Minister reply
My hon. Friend raises an important point. We are taking clear and assertive action in England, but need devolved Administrations, particularly Wales, to play their part as well. I would advise her to work with Members of the Welsh Assembly to try to bring matters to a head.
Question
Could the Secretary of State send a copy of the statement he has made today to those people who claim to run Thames Water? So far in their correspondence with me they have refused to give any undertakings about keeping drains and overflows clear. They also refused to attend two public meetings in Leytonstone in my constituency on the flooding—in fact, getting a papal audience would be easier than getting constructive information from Thames Water. I hope I am wrong about this, but despite the Secretary of State’s best efforts I suspect that Thames Water will continue to treat elected representatives and consumers with contempt.
Minister reply
That is very disappointing if what the hon. Gentleman says is right. The key role of Government is to ensure we have legal powers for bringing prosecutions where necessary, and setting in place strategic plans to require investment necessary to deal with this problem.
Question
Does the Secretary of State agree that what we need in this debate is some cool, some balance and to deal in the facts? There has been some deeply grubby, irresponsible scaremongering over the summer from some of the usual suspects. In the spirit of honesty and truth—I appreciate that 2035 is a long way away; too long for many of my constituents—can the Secretary of State tell the House the cold, hard choices that he and his potential successor face, and I suppose therefore water bill payers in our constituencies face, to speed things up significantly?
Minister reply
It is not the case that nothing will be done until 2035. Indeed, investments are happening now to improve more than 800 priority storm overflows. We will see a reduction in discharges across the country of around 25% by 2025 and then further out until 2035.
Ben Lake
PC
Ceredigion Preseli
Question
We have heard this afternoon of the ecological impact that many of these sewage discharges have on rivers and coastal areas, as well as public health concerns that arise from them. Does the Secretary of State agree that perhaps compensation should be considered for those communities impacted, which might prove an incentive to water companies to speed up some of their work?
Minister reply
The issue is devolved; action we have taken is in respect of England and it is for the Welsh Government to tackle challenges they have in their own area. We are bringing record numbers of prosecutions against companies that breach permit conditions.
Gagan Mohindra
Con
South West Hertfordshire
Question
My beautiful South West Hertfordshire constituency has the River Chess going through it. Jon Tyler is the last watercress farmer along the River Chess. Can my right hon. Friend give me assurance that the Environment Act, as is, is the best way to ensure that his business remains successful in the years to come?
Minister reply
My hon. Friend makes an important point. The Department is also working on a new horticulture strategy and invites him to write with details of the particular watercress grower he refers to to ensure challenges they face are properly reflected.
Olivia Blake
Lab
Sheffield Hallam
Question
I did not realise that the Government’s plan for biodiversity net gain was simply to boost the level of E. coli and Campylobacter in our rivers and waterways. That is a serious point, because earlier this summer the chief medical officer, Ofwat and the Environment Agency set out that they have real concerns about the spread of antimicrobial-resistant bacteria in our waterways, not just because of sewage from storm overflows, but because of normal sewage treatment works. What is the wait? Why have we been waiting 28 years to ban that outright?
Minister reply
The hon. Lady is wrong. The environment targets we are consulting on will set ambitious targets to improve bathing water quality and address issues such as E. coli counts. Issues of breaches of permits from water treatment works are being investigated at 2,200 facilities.
Mims Davies
Con
East Grinstead and Uckfield
Question
My constituents in Mid Sussex have rightly been very concerned by social media’s inferring that the Government are not taking significant action. We all enjoy the seaside in Sussex and across the country. People are acting today as if they do not bear any blame themselves, but we are all contributing to this problem. Will the Department provide more clarity so that people understand that the situation is improving significantly?
Minister reply
I have been grateful for today’s opportunity to allay fears and focus on substantive issues rather than social media claims.
Layla Moran
Lib Dem
Oxford West and Abingdon
Question
This was the first summer that Oxford West and Abingdon could enjoy the fact that the River Thames in Port Meadow had been granted bathing water status, but it is the second of only two such sites in the entire country. Will he consider a fund to help communities and councils to gain bathing water status for our rivers?
Minister reply
If the hon. Lady writes to us about her proposal, we will look at it. DEFRA has a target under the Environment Act 2021 to increase the number of bathing waters that are in good and favourable condition.
Jerome Mayhew
Con
Broadland and Fakenham
Question
We need to establish the real scale of the problem. It has been estimated that providing a full solution to storm overflow discharges will require the replacement of 100,000 miles of combined sewers, so the Government have it absolutely right with increasingly onerous targets for Ofwat backed by unlimited fines and £56 billion of infrastructure investment year after year. Does my right hon. Friend agree that to pretend we can call for an immediate ban does a huge disservice to the general public?
Minister reply
My hon. Friend is absolutely right. It is important to take the right long-term decisions now on investment, monitoring and bringing prosecutions in order to ensure the issue improves over the next 25 years.
Jim Shannon
DUP
Strangford
Question
I thank the Secretary of State for his answers. He has mentioned on three occasions the need for the devolved Administrations to play their part. Sewage impacts on all the seas around the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. Taking into consideration the fact that 7 million tonnes of raw sewage are pumped into Northern Ireland’s seas and waters, and more than £1.5 billion of investment is needed to repair that situation, does the right hon. Member agree that there must be a holistic approach to tackling sewage pollution across the whole United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland?
Minister reply
As I said, responsibility for water quality is devolved, but of course we work closely with all the devolved Administrations. DEFRA will share all the policy thinking, work and analysis that we have done in respect of England with any devolved Administration who would find it useful.
Question
There are two pollution warnings on our beautiful beaches of Southend West today, because of the use of storm overflows. I welcome all the work that the Government are doing and their plans to reduce the problem, but does my right hon. Friend agree that the payments of dividends and capital buy-backs must be directly linked to Anglian Water’s performance in preventing sewage discharges in my constituency?
Minister reply
Yes, I agree that dividend payments should be linked to compliance with permits and environmental performance, and we have taken the powers in the Environment Act to ensure that that happens.
Question
The discharge of sewage into waterways, including the beautiful chalk streams of South Cambridgeshire, is clearly completely unacceptable, which is why I welcome the package of measures the Secretary of State talked about earlier finally to tackle the problem. Enforcement is a lot more effective if we hit owners and senior executives where it hurts most: in their pockets. That is why I welcome the fact that, as the Secretary of State has mentioned, including in response to the previous question, Ofwat is consulting on linking dividend payments to environmental performance. Does he also agree that the Government should consider going further and banning water companies that are fined for illegally dumping pollution from paying any bonus to their senior management team or dividends to their owners for one year? When bankers break the law, they lose their bonuses. Should not the same happen to water company executives?
Minister reply
As I said, Ofwat is consulting on a package of measures, using the new powers that we have given it under the Environment Act. I am sure that it will study this urgent question carefully and take on board my hon. Friend’s policy proposal.
Shadow Comment
Caroline Lucas
Shadow Comment
Shadow Minister Caroline Lucas criticised the Government's complacency and lack of urgency in addressing sewage discharges, highlighting that water companies are allowed to continue polluting until 2035 for designated areas and 2050 elsewhere. She questioned why it is permitted now for companies to discharge sewage during non-heavy rainfall periods, contrary to previous laws. Lucas also pointed out the cuts made by the Environment Agency under a former Minister and expressed concern over dividends paid to shareholders at the expense of infrastructure investment. She further raised issues about compensation for businesses affected due to pollution-related loss of revenue.
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