Overview

• Surfers Against Sewage organized paddle-out protests at over 40 UK sites to highlight record sewage discharges into rivers and seas.
• Environment Agency data confirmed that water companies released unprecedented amounts of raw sewage in 2024, with over 8,700 discharges during the bathing season alone.
• New polling reveals fewer than 20% of people believe they can safely swim locally by 2030, and only 21% trust the government to enforce sewage reduction measures.
• The Independent Water Commission is reviewing evidence to propose reforms, while water companies tout investments and AI-driven solutions to address storm overflows.
• Protesters and campaigners call for systemic industry reform, citing health risks, environmental damage, and years of underinvestment in water infrastructure.