England's Sewage Spill Crisis Reaches Record 3.61 Million Hours in 2024

New data reveals worsening spill durations, intensifying calls for stricter regulation and systemic reform of the water industry.

The Environment Agency confirmed that untreated sewage was discharged into England’s waterways for a record 3.61 million hours in 2024, a 0.2% increase from 2023 and a 106% rise from 2022.
While the number of sewage spills decreased slightly, the average duration of each spill increased significantly, compounding environmental and public health risks.
In August 2024, Ofwat issued record fines totaling £168 million to Thames, Yorkshire, and Northumbrian Water for their roles in the crisis.
Water UK has pledged £104 billion in investments over the next five years to address aging infrastructure, but skepticism remains about the industry's ability to deliver meaningful change.
Political leaders, including Environment Secretary Steve Reed and Liberal Democrat Leader Ed Davey, have criticized regulatory failures and called for stricter oversight and potential restructuring of the water industry.