In 2024, England’s rivers and seas endured a staggering 3.6 million hours of raw sewage spills, a new record according to the Environment Agency. This alarming figure, slightly up from 2023, underscores a growing environmental and public health crisis, prompting urgent calls for systemic changes to the UK’s ageing sewerage infrastructure.

The Scale of the Problem

While the total number of sewage spills decreased in 2024, the duration of each spill increased, averaging longer discharges into lakes, rivers, and coastal waters. Of particular concern were 75 serious pollution incidents, with Thames Water accounting for 33, posing significant risks to aquatic ecosystems and human health. Environmental groups warn that these spills, laden with bacteria like E. coli and salmonella, threaten wildlife and swimmers, as evidenced by high E. coli levels during the 2024 Oxford and Cambridge Boat Race.

The UK’s combined sewerage system, which carries both wastewater and rainwater in the same pipes, is designed to overflow during heavy rainfall to prevent flooding. However, illegal “dry spills”—sewage discharges during dry weather due to mismanaged treatment plants—have exacerbated the issue. In 2022, the BBC identified 6,000 potential dry spills, highlighting systemic failures in compliance with regulatory permits.

Proposed Solutions and Industry Response

The Independent Water Commission, led by Sir Jon Cunliffe, issued a major report proposing 88 reforms, including a new water strategy for England and Wales, the replacement of regulator Ofwat with a new watchdog, mandatory smart meters to reduce demand, and stricter penalties for pollution. The commission also called for independent monitoring, as water companies currently self-report their spills.

Water UK, representing sewerage companies, acknowledged the “unacceptable” nature of spills and committed to a £20 billion investment over the next five years to upgrade infrastructure, part of a £104 billion plan to modernize sewers and secure water supplies. Described as the most ambitious overhaul since the Victorian era, these upgrades aim to eliminate sewage discharges into waterways. However, environmental campaigners criticize the reliance on customer bill hikes to fund these changes while companies continue paying dividends to shareholders.

Regional Variations

In Wales, spill hours dropped by 11% in 2024, but pollution incidents reached a 10-year high. Scotland monitors only 27% of its spill sites, and Northern Ireland lacks real-time spill data, complicating efforts to assess the full scope of the issue across the UK. Overall water quality also varies: only 16% of England’s surface waters achieved “good” ecological status in 2023, compared to 66% in Scotland, 40% in Wales, and 31% in Northern Ireland.

Public Health and Monitoring

The health risks of polluted waters are significant, with exposure to human faeces increasing the likelihood of illnesses like diarrhoea, vomiting, or hepatitis A. The Environment Agency monitors bathing water quality weekly from May to September, offering location-specific data and pollution risk forecasts. Water UK’s National Storm Overflow Hub provides near-real-time discharge data, though it lacks details on sewage volume or pathogen levels.

Looking Ahead

The record sewage spills of 2024 highlight the urgent need for infrastructure upgrades and stronger regulation. While industry and government commitments signal progress, environmentalists argue that meaningful change requires accountability, independent oversight, and a shift away from prioritizing shareholder profits. As public awareness grows, pressure mounts for a cleaner, safer future for the UK’s waterways.