Water companies plan largest modernization of sewers ‘since the Victorian era’
The biggest sewer upgrade “since the Victorian era” is being planned by the water industry as companies apologized for not reacting quickly enough to tackle leaks.
Water UK said plans for the biggest investment to date in sewage networks will reduce overflows by up to 140,000 a year by 2030 compared to 2020 levels.
It comes at a time when companies in England are apologizing for failing to effectively tackle spills on rivers and beaches.
Figures from the Environment Agency earlier this year showed that there were a total of 301,091 sewage accidents in 2022, an average of 824 per day.
More should have been done to address the oil spill problem sooner and the public is rightly upset about the current quality of our rivers and beaches
Ruth Kelly, Chair of Water UK, said: “The message from the water and wastewater industry today is clear: we are sorry.
“More should have been done to address the oil spill problem sooner and the public is rightly upset about the current quality of our rivers and beaches.
“We have listened and have an unprecedented plan to begin remediation. This problem will not be solved overnight, but we are committed to doing whatever it takes to transform our rivers and seas in the way we all want it to be.”
The organization said that “£10 billion – more than triple the current level” is poised to be invested “to enable the largest modernization of sewerage since the Victorian era and the most ambitious program to combat sewage pollution in the world”. .
Under the plans, which are due to be fully unveiled this summer, companies will be able to improve their sewage networks and deal with spillage accidents with less impact on rivers and seas, Water UK said.
An independent data hub is also planned to inform the public about overflows and the establishment of new bathing areas.
Eliminating spills that have been integrated into the system as a relief valve is a priority for us, but it is also a significant task
In a letter of apology to its customers, Yorkshire Water said it would invest £180m over the next two years in reducing storm overflow discharges.
CEO Nicola Shaw said: “Tackling spills that have been built into the system as a relief valve is a priority for us, but it is also a significant task.”
“There are over 2,200 spills in Yorkshire and we know that a full Yorkshire cleanup is not a quick fix as it would cause both significant disruption and high costs for customers.
“But continued investment by our shareholders will help us address this issue.”
Last month Environment Secretary Therese Coffey said the government would introduce legislation to put plans to reduce storm flooding on a “new legal footing”.
The government’s storm overflow reduction plan, released in August 2022, aims to prevent sewage dumping by 2050, while increasing discharges near “high priority” areas by 75% by 2035 and 100% by 2045 to reduce.
Areas of high priority include areas of special scientific interest, special protection areas and other environmentally sensitive areas.
We’ve been urging water companies to do more, and faster, for their customers and for our waterways and beaches. We’re excited about the plans and how the companies will increase their performance
A spokesman for water regulator Ofwat said: “We welcome the apology from the water companies and it must now be acted upon.”
“We have been urging water companies to do more and faster for their customers and for our waterways and beaches. We’re excited about the plans and how the companies will increase their performance.
“Through our regulatory process, we will ensure they deliver the best possible outcomes over the next five years and beyond.
“It is important that companies continue to speak clearly with the public about how this proposed investment will benefit communities and improve quality of life.”
Philip Dunne, chairman of the Environmental Audit Committee and Conservative MP, said: “People are rightly fed up with the repeated reports of sewage pouring into our rivers and seas and we need to stop it.”
“Today’s initiatives, if fully implemented, could go a long way in addressing these understandable concerns and restoring the country’s precious waterways to good condition.”
Alan Lovell, chairman of the Environment Agency, said: “It is right that the industry is honest and responsible and showing the concrete steps it is taking to drive the improvements we all want to see.”
Water Minister Rebecca Pow said: “This apology from the water industry is not premature and I applaud it.”
“The Government has given water companies the toughest targets ever to reduce wastewater pollution and is requiring water companies to make their biggest ever infrastructure investment – £56 billion.” I am delighted that they are now taking action to achieve this goal to be achieved, but there is still much to be done.
https://www.standard.co.uk/news/environment/victorian-ruth-kelly-england-ofwat-environment-agency-b1081932.html Water companies plan largest modernization of sewers ‘since the Victorian era’
