Incidents of sewage dumping into rivers and seas by water companies rose by 87 per cent last year – an increase branded ‘shocking and outrageous’ by campaigners.
All told, more than 5,500 notices were issued by the companies about the discharge of sewage last year, an increase from 2,941 alerts the year before.
One in six days of the official bathing season were rendered ‘unswimmable’ due to sewage near beaches and other coastal spots, the report from the environmental charity Surfers Against Sewage said.
When designated beaches or lakes are monitored by the Environment Agency to ensure water quality standards, it is called the bathing season.
The strong winds and the surf at Hayling Island, Hampshire are what a wing surfer is enjoying.
Hugo Tagholm, of Surfers Against Sewage, said: ‘The findings of our report are shocking and outrageous, but they are by no means unexpected.
‘Time and time again, governments have claimed concern over the pollution of rivers and seas. Loopholes in laws and systematically defunded regulators have left water companies to run amok.’
He added: ‘We need water companies to clean up their act and commit to a decade of change to ensure our rivers and coastlines are thriving again.’
Last month, the Government pledged to enshrine in law a duty ‘to ensure water companies secure a progressive reduction in the adverse impacts of discharges from storm overflows’ – after 22 Conservative MPs rebelled over an amendment that made such reductions voluntary.
Surfers Against Sewage issues real-time warnings for swimmers and paddleboarders when water companies release sewage.
Its annual water quality report said the 3,328 alerts issued during last year’s summer bathing season were up on 2020’s figure of 1,195.
Surfers Against Sewage issues real-time warnings for swimmers and paddleboarders when water companies release sewage.
Water firms have provided more information and locations to help explain some of the increase.
The report shows that Southern Water, which services the coast stretching from Kent to Hampshire, has the lowest number of overflows.
During the official swimming season, 16.3% of all the days were lost, which is 6,656.
The charity also gathers health reports from water users, with 286 reports of sickness last year – up 124 cases on the previous year.