Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Untreated Sewage: Discharge into Waterways

Thursday 28 October 2021 · 3 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 3 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Tonia Antoniazzi questioned the government on steps taken to prevent untreated sewage discharge into rivers and inland waterways.
  • The government responded with details about the Environment Bill, which includes new duties for water companies to reduce sewage discharges.
  • Simon Fell noted that recent events involving raw sewage discharges could harm Britain's reputation ahead of COP26.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Tonia Antoniazzi Lab Gower
Environment
Context

The MP is concerned about the public outcry regarding untreated sewage being discharged into rivers and inland waterways. She highlights that the number of people enjoying beaches like Caswell bay and Langland bay has increased, making it important to protect these areas for swimming.

Question

What steps he is taking to help ensure that untreated sewage is not discharged into rivers and inland waterways. Despite bizarre assurances that the Government have been working on their U-turn for weeks, it was the public outcry about sewage being pumped into waterways that forced a change of mind by the Government. In Gower, the number of people enjoying the sea and swimming in Caswell bay and Langland bay has increased.

Answer from Rebecca Pow

We have our Environment Bill and a strategic policy statement which directs the regulator to ensure that water companies tackle sewage discharges. The Environment Bill strengthens by getting a new duty on water companies to progressively reduce discharges. We are working together across borders with devolved Governments, and partnership working is highlighted in the Environment Bill.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific work being done to coordinate with devolved governments was not clearly detailed.

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Q2 Tonia Antoniazzi Lab Gower
Environment
Context

The MP met with the Minister and Secretary of State to discuss issues regarding sewage discharges into waterways. The MP is seeking clarity on how an amendment to the Environment Bill will address these concerns.

Question

I am grateful to the Minister and Secretary of State for meeting me and concerned colleagues earlier this week on this issue. Only a few days ago, we had a discharge into the Walney channel. For the avoidance of doubt, can the Minister please lay out the fact that the amendment we are putting forward to the Environment Bill will drive down discharges such as this and increase penalties and liabilities on water companies that are acting irresponsibly?

Answer from Rebecca Pow

The measures in the Environment Bill include reporting, monitoring, duties and governance to check on actions taken by water companies. An overarching new duty is directed at progressively reducing sewage discharges.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific details of the proposed amendment were not provided.

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Q3 Simon Fell
Climate Environment
Context

The MP is concerned about the impact of raw sewage discharge on Britain's reputation going into COP26. He questions the Government's decision to whip their MPs against an amendment to end routine discharges.

Question

Days from COP26, I must tell the Minister that the episode with raw sewage has not done Britain's reputation any good. The Government whipping their own MPs to vote against an amendment to end the routine discharge of raw sewage does nothing to build confidence and has rightly sparked a public outcry. Raw sewage is being routinely discharged today, right now and every single day throughout COP26. When the Minister talks about progressive reductions, can she say how much raw sewage will be progressively reduced each year? Importantly, when will this disgusting practice come to an end?

Answer from Rebecca Pow

The amendment proposed would have legally bound Ministers to ensure untreated sewage is not discharged, which could cost between £300 billion and £600 billion. Some £3 billion is already being spent by water companies to stop sewage going into rivers, and the measures in the Bill will further add to that.

Partly answered

Not addressed: No specific timeline or reduction target was provided for raw sewage discharge.

How: Whipped Up, Untruths

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