I am very pleased that, having supported a Private Members Bill to clean up Britain’s rivers, new objectives to prevent damage from storm overflows have been agreed by the newly established joint industry-government group. This will go a long way to tackle river pollution in the constituency.
The Storm Overflows Taskforce, which is made up of Defra, the Environment Agency, Ofwat, Consumer Council for Water, Blueprint for Water and Water UK has agreed to set a long term goal to eliminate harm from storm overflows. Following recommendations from the Taskforce, water companies will also increase transparency around when and how storm overflows are used.
Storm overflows were designed to be used during extreme weather to prevent sewers becoming overloaded with a combination of sewage and rainwater, releasing diluted wastewater into rivers rather than letting it back up into people’s homes. However climate change has led to increased rainfall and water infrastructure has not kept pace with development growth over decades. Water companies have agreed to make real-time data on sewage discharges available at bathing sites all year round, meaning surfers, swimmers and other water users can check the latest information, especially after heavy rainfall. Water companies will also accelerate work to install monitoring devices to create a complete picture of their activity by 2023.
Last year I supported the Sewage (Inland Waters) Bill 2019-21, introduced by Ludlow MP Philip Dunne, which was aimed at helping clean up Britain’s rivers from sewage pollution. I backed the Bill to help deliver cleaner water in my constituency’s rivers and waterways including River Foss to Farlington Beck, Gypsey Race, the River Derwent from Kirkham to the North Sea, Hodge Beck to the River Dove and Marrs Beck to Holbeck. The Bill had its Second Reading in the House of Commons in November. Although there isn’t sufficient parliamentary time for it to complete its passage through the House, the Government has committed to continuing to work with Mr Dunne on the best way to make progress in reducing the harm caused by sewage spilling into our rivers.
With the heavy rainfall that we have experienced recently in Thirsk and Malton there cannot be a better time to introduce these new targets. Our rivers are hugely important to residents for recreation, well-being and wildlife habitats and we must do everything we can to keep them clean and I will certainly be working with Yorkshire Water to make sure we clean up our waters and reduce the amount of sewage which makes its way into our rivers.
Philip Dunne, MP for Ludlow, said “I have been shocked to discover the extent of sewage routinely spilled in our rivers. Poor water quality has a very damaging impact on aquatic species which depend on clean rivers, and risks healthy enjoyment of our rivers by the public. I am really pleased this Government has recognised that this has got to change. I am delighted the Minister has responded so quickly to Covid restrictions interrupting progress of my Private Members Bill by agreeing to work with me to develop measures to improve water quality across England.”
Environment Minister Rebecca Pow said “Making sure we have clean rivers is an absolute priority and I have been clear that I want to cut down on the water sector’s reliance on storm overflows. The Storm Overflows Taskforce, established last year, is working urgently on options to tackle this issue, which demonstrates a collective commitment for change in this critical area. Our ambitious Environment Bill already sets out how we will tackle various sources of water pollution. I look forward to working with Philip Dunne and others on how we can accelerate progress in this area.”
The Environment Bill will place a statutory requirement on water companies to produce drainage and sewerage management plans to help deliver more of the actions needed to address the risks sewerage assets may pose to the environment.
