There were 3,275 sewage dumps in Britain last year, according to data uncovered by the Liberal Democrats.

Environment Agency figures showed the total number was up from the 2,008 recorded in 2021.

In total, there were 194,900 sewage dumps from “high frequency spill overflows” in 2022, lasting a total of 1.3 million hours.

A spokesperson for the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) said the numbers as used by the Lib Dems did “not align with the official data”.

High frequency spills are usually deemed serious enough to warrant an investigation by water companies, who are obliged to report back within three months and outline what action has been taken.

The Liberal Democrats have accused the water companies of refusing to take action.

It singled out for criticism United Utilities in the Lake District, South West Water in Devon and Cornwall and Severn Trent, which supplies the Midlands and Wales.

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According to the research, nearly 40% of United Utilities’ storm overflows have been identified as high spill frequency.

Storm overflows take place when rain and wastewater is discharged from sewerage systems into seas and rivers during heavy downpours to prevent sewage from backing up into streets and homes.

United Utilities has also been accused of the longest dump from one of these overflows, after sewage was dumped 339 times into the River Ellen from Plumbland wastewater treatment works in Cumbria for 6,896 hours – nearly 19 hours everyday.

Severn Trent is also alleged to have dumped sewage into Whissendine Brook in Rutland from a nearby wastewater treatment works 318 times for 6,646 hours in 2022.

‘The whole thing stinks’

Liberal Democrat environment spokesperson Tim Farron said the rise in monster sewage dumps was a “national scandal”.

“Water company execs are raking in millions in bonuses whilst their pipes leak sewage into our lakes and rivers. The whole thing stinks,” he said.

“These polluting firms are obligated to investigate, yet still no action is taken. You would think after a historic drought these figures would drop. It seems there is no end in sight for the sewage scandal.”

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In February Environment Secretary Thérèse Coffey ordered England’s water and sewerage companies to share a “clear plan” to reduce spills from every single storm overflow in a bid to tackle the problem.

But critics derided the plans as “lacklustre” and claimed ministers were simply rehashing old plans.

A Defra spokesperson told Sky News: “We do not recognise these figures. High-frequency spills are defined as those spilling in excess of 60 times per year – the numbers here do not align with the official data.

“This government is the first to take such comprehensive action on storm overflows – and our new plan for water sets out the increased investment, tougher enforcement and tighter regulation to tackle this issue.

“We have recently announced £1.6bn in new, accelerated investment to tackle storm overflows, including £700 million from United Utilities to reduce spills by 7,800 annually.”

Read more:
Good news on fall in sewage spills only highlights the scale of the challenge facing water companies
Sewage spills fall by nearly a fifth, but it’s ‘not down to water firms’ actions’

A United Utilities spokesperson said: “With the largest combined sewer system in the UK and 28% more rainfall than average, we are committed to delivering a step change in performance. We have already reduced spill frequency by 40% since 2020 and we know there is much more to do.

“We have ambitious plans to deliver one of the largest environmental improvement programmes in the country and we now have approval to fast track that and begin to deliver £900 million of improvements early, bringing region-wide benefits, reducing storm overflows, creating jobs, and boosting the resilience of local communities and the environment.”

A Water UK spokesperson said: “Every water company is firmly of the view that urgent action is needed to tackle the harm caused by storm overflows and are committed to delivering ambitious plans that will help transform our rivers and coastal waters.

“Water companies are bringing forward £56billion to replumb England in one of the largest infrastructure programmes ever. This includes removing every high-spilling overflow in England, and protecting areas used for bathing.”

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