Govt Vows 50% Sewage Cut by 2030, Says Reed
Sewage pollution from water companies will be cut in half by the end of the decade, the Environment Secretary Steve Reed will pledge today (Sunday 20 July).
Sewage pollution from water companies will be cut in half by the end of the decade, the Environment Secretary Steve Reed will pledge today (Sunday 20 July).
Our rivers, lakes and seas will be the cleanest since records began, meaning millions of families will benefit from cleaner beaches and rivers.
For the first time the Government has made a pledge to cut sewage pollution with a clear target which they will be held accountable to.
The Government, in partnership with investors, has secured funding to rebuild the entire water network to clean up our rivers.
In one of the largest infrastructure projects in this country’s history, a record £104 billion is being invested to upgrade crumbling pipes and build new sewage treatment works cutting sewage pollution into rivers.
Over the past year, the Government has introduced a package of measures to slash pollution levels. Bills are now ringfenced to force companies to invest in upgrades and over £100 million of water fines are being spent on local clean-up projects.
The commitment comes as the Government vows “root and branch reform” to usher in a revolution in the water industry, ahead of the Independent Water Commission’s final report.
Environment Secretary Steve Reed said:
Families have watched their local rivers, coastlines and lakes suffer from record levels of pollution.
My pledge to you: the Government will halve sewage pollution from water companies by the end of the decade.
One of the largest infrastructure projects in England’s history will clean up our rivers, lakes and seas for good.”
The Government has already taken decisive action to clean up England’s waterways.
- Record investment: with £104 billion to upgrade crumbling pipes and build sewage treatment works across the country.
- Ringfence customers’ bills for upgrades: customer bills earmarked for investment must now be spent on new sewage pipes and treatment works – not spent on shareholder payments or bonuses .
- Reinvesting company fines into local projects: with over £100million being invested into local clean-up projects in communities.
- Largest budget for water regulation: the Environment Agency received a record £189 million to fund hundreds of enforcement officers to inspect and prosecute polluting water companies.
- Polluter Pays: companies will now cover the cost of prosecutions and successful investigations into pollution incidents, enabling the regulator to hire more staff and pursue further enforcement activity.
- Banning wet wipes containing plastic in England: introducing legislation to reduce microplastics in our waters.
- The Water (Special Measures) Act: banned unfair bonuses for ten polluting water bosses this year and threatened prison sentences for law-breaking executives.
This package of measures will slash storm overflow spills by 50% by 2030 and halve phosphorus from treated wastewater by 2028.
Both contaminants choke our rivers, suffocate wildlife and destroy ecosystems. In 2024, sewage spilled into waterways for a record 3,614,428 hours .
Pollution levels were a decisive factor in the Government launching the Independent Water Commission last October – the largest review of the sector since privatisation.
Led by Sir Jon Cunliffe, the Commission’s final report will be published on Monday with recommendations on regulation, strategic frameworks and support for consumers. The Government will respond to the recommendations in Parliament on Monday.
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/reed-government-to-cut-sewage-pollution-in-half-by-2030