What Water Companies Aren't Telling Us
A 大象传媒 investigation suggests that three major water companies discharged sewage hundreds of times last year on days when it was not raining, which is illegal.
Releasing sewage into rivers and seas is allowed in the UK when its raining to prevent the drainage system becoming overwhelmed. But it's illegal to do so on days when it's not wet. The practice, known as "dry spilling", is banned because it can lead to higher concentrations of sewage in waterways causing environmental harm.
Now, a nine month 大象传媒 investigation suggests that three major water companies in England discharged sewage hundreds of times last year on days when it was not raining. It reveals that 3 and a half thousand hours of sewage spills by Thames, Southern and Wessex Water collectively started on dry days last year. This was calculated by matching information about sewage spills and Met Office rainfall data, with the support of academics from Imperial College and Bristol University. Some sewage was discharged into nature reserves and near local swimming spots and even during the hottest day on record, when temperatures topped forty Celsius in some places and many people tried to cool off in rivers.
Wessex water said there were some issues with the data they provided, but said enforcement was not the real answer but new investment in infrastructure which will be tripled under a new plan. Water UK, the industry body representing all companies, says the findings should be investigated. It says enforcement is not going to fix the issue and that鈥檚 why investment in infrastructure will be tripled.
England's remaining 6 water companies refused to provide the 大象传媒 with spill data as they are already under investigation by the Environment Agency. in this episode or our 5 Minutes On podcast - the 大象传媒's Climate and Science Reporter, Esme Stallard - shares the findings of her investigation.
Image Credit: 大象传媒 News
