DEFRA announces investment to prevent sewage spills

The environment secretary, Steve Barclay, has announced fast-tracked investment of £180m over the next 12 months to help prevent sewage spills.

It is hoped the funding will prevent more than 8000 sewage spills polluting English waterways.

Last December, Barclay directed water and sewage companies to measurably reduce sewage spills over the next year by accelerating commitments and delivering new funding.

These measures include investment in AI systems to help manage storm loads, the installation of thousands of new in-sewer monitors to check flows and spot blockages early, the recruitment and training of specialist staff, and accelerated wetland construction programmes.

Water companies have already committed £3.1 billion of investment into storm overflow improvements for this price review period (2020-2025).

Environment Secretary Steve Barclay said: "The amount of sewage being spilled into our rivers is completely unacceptable and the public rightly expects action. This £180 million of accelerated investment, which will stop more than 8,000 sewage spills over the next year, is a welcome step forward as we continue to push for better performance from water companies and hold them to account.  

"This money will mean more cutting-edge technology, including artificial intelligence, and more specialist staff to detect and reduce spills.   

"Today’s announcement builds on significant work by this government to protect and strengthen our waters with increased investment, stronger regulation and tougher enforcement action."