ENVIRONMENT - 19.05.2022

Sewage discharge consultation - possible impacts

What’s the problem?

Water companies have traditionally treated sewage before discharge into watercourses such as rivers and the sea, and in extreme circumstances have been able to discharge untreated sewage. A growing population, Victorian infrastructure and increases in extreme weather events have put pressure on our sewer system, bringing the frequency of discharges to an unacceptable level.

What’s the extent of the problem?

Raw sewage was discharged into watercourses 372,533 times in 2021. The release of untreated sewage continued for a combined total of more than 2.7 million hours, according to data released by the Environment Agency.

Where’s the main focus?

Water companies will face strict limits on discharges and must eliminate the ecological harm caused and protect public health under new plans. The main measures under consultation are:

• time-bound targets to eliminate ecological harm, protect public health and limit storm overflows
• details of how water companies will be expected to achieve these targets
• an outline of wider options to reduce the strain on our sewer system, such as mandatory sustainable drainage systems.

How will targets be met?

Defra has explained how water companies will be expected to achieve this target, including mapping sewer networks, reducing surface water connections and engaging in long-term collaborative planning. It also details how the government will hold companies that do not meet expectations to account, including a significantly improved ability of the Environment Agency to take enforcement action where needed.

Defra will publish its plan by September 2022, as required by the Environment Act 2021 , which will set clear and enforceable targets that must be met.

How might this affect you?

Whilst the focus is on the water companies to instigate the changes to the infrastructure, this will incur significant costs. For established businesses this may result in stricter limits to your trade effluent discharges or increases in your water bill. The biggest impact will probably be seen in the construction industry as part of the scheme under discussion is collaborative planning. This may include planning laws and building regulations tightening to ensure that the infrastructure is capable of managing the increase in storm waters without becoming an environmental emergency.

How can you lessen any impact?

Make sure that you are fully aware of your water usage, that you are dealing with any leaks and/or blockages and that you try to reduce consumption as much as possible as this will relieve pressure on a creaking system. Not only is this the “right thing to do” you may find that you are reducing your water bills and the possibility of incurring fines from breaching your consent limits. Tip. The consultation closed on 12 May 2022, but you can still view it in full (see The next step ).

For a link to the consultation, visit https://www.tips_and-advice.co.uk, Download Zone, year 20, issue 17.