Sewage Spill Hours Fall in England, But Weather Credited Over Reform

The number of hours that raw sewage was discharged into England’s rivers and coastal waters dropped significantly in 2025, according to new figures from the Environment Agency.

However, regulators say the reduction is largely due to drier weather rather than meaningful improvements to infrastructure.

Data shows sewage was released for approximately 1.9 million hours during the year, down from 3.6 million hours in 2024—a decrease of nearly half. The Environment Agency noted that lower rainfall played a major role, as fewer storms meant less pressure on the combined sewer system.

England’s network is designed to carry both rainwater and wastewater, meaning overflows are triggered during heavy rainfall to prevent sewage backing up into homes.

With rainfall levels around 24% lower last year, the frequency of these discharges naturally declined.

Environmental groups have warned against interpreting the figures as progress. Campaigners argue the drop reflects favourable weather conditions rather than systemic change, and continue to criticise both water companies and regulators for failing to tackle the root causes of pollution.

By contrast, industry body Water UK said the reduction could also signal early benefits from increased investment. Water companies are ramping up spending on infrastructure, with plans for £104 billion of upgrades over the next five years following regulatory approval for higher customer bills.

Despite the improvement, concerns remain about the overall scale of pollution. Thousands of storm overflows continue to operate nationwide, and government officials have acknowledged that sewage discharges remain at unacceptable levels.

For the first time, the Environment Agency has also released data on so-called “dry spills”—incidents where sewage is discharged without rainfall, which is typically considered unlawful. Around 14,700 such incidents were recorded in 2025, and investigations are now underway to determine whether enforcement action is required.

Experts continue to highlight the environmental and public health risks associated with sewage pollution. These include harm to aquatic ecosystems, increased nutrient levels leading to algal blooms, and the presence of contaminants such as plastics and pharmaceuticals.

While the latest figures show a reduction in discharge hours, regulators stress that long-term improvement will depend on sustained investment and structural changes to the ageing sewer network.