Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Sewage Discharge

Thursday 30 March 2023 · 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 1 Partly answered 1 Not answered 0

Key points

  • The Department is asking water companies to invest 56 billion over 25 years to reduce sewage discharges.
  • A 100% monitoring record for storm sewage overflows will be achieved by the end of this year.
  • The Environment Act 2021 requires companies to provide discharge data in near real time if water quality is affected.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Liz Twist Lab Blaydon and Consett
Environment
Context

Water companies have faced criticism for sewage discharges, prompting questions about progress on the issue.

Question

What progress has been made on reducing sewage discharges? Labour notes a 90% reduction target and mandatory monitoring fines.

Answer from Rebecca Pow

The Department is asking water companies to deliver their largest infrastructure investment, £56 billion over 25 years. A 100% monitoring record for storm sewage overflows will be achieved by the end of this year. The proposed Labour plan would add £1,000 to customer bills and require excessive pipe installation.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific ask was not fully addressed; the response focused on cost concerns rather than commitment details

How: Cost Concerns

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Q2 Liz Twist Lab Blaydon and Consett
Environment
Context

Investment has led to a significant reduction in storm overflows, improving coastal water quality. The question concerns extending the testing period for year-round bathing and surfing.

Question

Will my hon. Friend consider extending the testing season for increasing numbers of all-year bathers and surfers?

Answer from Rebecca Pow

The Environment Act 2021 requires companies to make discharge data available in near real time if there is an impact on water quality, and all year-round monitoring will come into force by the end of this year. Companies will also install new flow monitors on more than 2,000 wastewater treatment works.

Answered

Not addressed: null

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Q3 Selaine Saxby
Parliamentary Procedure Environment
Context

The Tory sewage scandal has affected community waters and livelihoods. The question concerns the Environment Agency's plan to publish new data on discharges.

Question

Is the Secretary of State familiar with new data showing 800 discharges per day, and will she make a statement before the Easter recess?

Answer from Rebecca Pow

[Interruption.] I am not sure they are facts.

Not addressed: The specific ask was completely ignored; the response denied any relevance or familiarity with the data.

How: Denial Of Fact

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