Raw Sewage and Storm Water Discharge into Waterways 2020-11-26
2020-11-26
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Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
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Context
In 2019, Yorkshire Water discharged raw sewage into local rivers for a total of 616,643 hours, the worst figure in England. The company made profits over £212 million in 2018-19.
What recent steps have been taken to reduce raw sewage discharge into waterways? It is good to hear that a taskforce has been set up. However, Yorkshire Water spent 616,643 hours discharging raw sewage into local rivers in 2019—the worst figure in England—and made over £212 million profit the previous year. The Environmental Audit Committee Chair proposed measures to raise standards. Will the Government support these proposals?
A taskforce has been set up to develop actions addressing storm overflows, and water companies have committed to improvements costing around £1.2 billion. The Government are supportive of the private Member's Bill proposed by Philip Dunne; measures in that Bill could help reduce storm overflows.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not commit to supporting specific proposals made by the Environmental Audit Committee Chair
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
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Context
Yorkshire Water spent 616,643 hours discharging raw sewage into local rivers in 2019—the worst figure in England—and made over £212 million profit the previous year. The Environmental Audit Committee Chair proposed measures to raise standards.
The taskforce is good news, but Yorkshire Water spent 616,643 hours discharging raw sewage into local rivers in 2019—the worst figure in England—and made over £212 million profit the previous year. The Environmental Audit Committee Chair has proposed measures to raise standards. Will the Government support these proposals?
The taskforce will look at some of the measures in Philip Dunne's Bill to reduce storm overflows, but no explicit commitment was made regarding the specific proposals by the Environmental Audit Committee Chair.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not commit to supporting specific proposals made by the Environmental Audit Committee Chair
Response accuracy
Q3
Partial Answer
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Context
Whiston has repeatedly been flooded, most recently last year. Raw sewage went into the Whiston brook 43 times last year after recent flooding. Now Rotherham Council has granted planning permission for 450 new homes off Worrygoose Lane.
Whiston in Rother Valley has repeatedly been flooded; raw sewage went into the Whiston brook 43 times last year, and now there is a plan to build 450 new homes on land above the brook. Will my hon. Friend speak to Rotherham Council to convince it that building more houses will exacerbate flooding?
I have met with water companies and made it clear that sewage discharges must be reduced. Early studies of the proposed Whiston flood alleviation scheme indicate better protection for 60 houses, but no commitment was made regarding further discussions or actions to convince Rotherham Council.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not commit to speaking to Rotherham Council about convincing them on housing development due to flood risk
Response accuracy