Water firms accused of ‘scandalous cover-up’ over sewage volume data

The Liberal Democrats said they tried to find out the volume of pollution but were told that information does not exist.

Liberal Democrat environment spokesman Tim Farron believes water companies are either withholding sewage volume data or neglecting to record it (Jonathan Brady/PA) (PA Archive)

Water firms have been accused of a “scandalous cover-up” after being unable to show much sewage they are pumping into rivers and seas.

The Liberal Democrats said they tried to find out the volume of pollution through Environment Information Regulations – similar to a Freedom of Information request – but were told that information does not exist.

A parliamentary committee last year found more than two billion litres of raw sewage had been dumped into the River Thames over two days following a storm.

These water firms could be guilty of a scandalous cover-up. We have no idea how many billions of litres of sewage are being pumped into our precious rivers and lakes

Liberal Democrat MP Tim Farron

Despite this, Thames Water told the Lib Dems it “does not record the volume of wastewater discharged into the environment via storm overflows”.

Other companies across England and Wales said the monitors they use only measure frequency and duration of spills, not volume.

Six of these companies now face legal action for allegedly misleading the Environment Agency and Ofwat about the number of times they have discharged sewage, meaning they may have overcharged customers.

Water UK has said these claims are “entirely without merit”.

Scottish Water, which is publicly owned, does record and publish volume data, but only a small proportion of its discharges are monitored.

In Northern Ireland, sewage discharges are not routinely monitored and the last time information was released was in late 2021 in response to a question tabled in Stormont.

The Lib Dems believe that water firms in England and Wales are either not telling the truth about holding volume data, or the monitors they have installed are inadequate.

They said previous requests for information found nearly a quarter of monitors were faulty or had not been fitted throughout 2021 and 2022.

Either these firms are withholding data from the public, which would be an extremely serious offence, or they just aren’t bothering to fit proper sewage monitors

Liberal Democrat MP Tim Farron

The party’s environment spokesman, Tim Farron, said: “These water firms could be guilty of a scandalous cover-up.

“We have no idea how many billions of litres of sewage are being pumped into our precious rivers and lakes.

“The true extent of environmental damage caused by this scandal is completely unknown. We don’t even know how much sewage is being pumped into bathing areas and shellfish water.”

A Water UK spokesman said the Lib Dem claims are “fabricated” and “completely false”.

Water companies are investing billions of pounds to deploy around 50,000 monitors across overflows and in rivers

Water UK

“Water companies are investing billions of pounds to deploy around 50,000 monitors across overflows and in rivers.

“These will take six different measurements defined by the Government, like spills, oxygen levels and different pollutants.

“Unmatched anywhere in the world, this information will be published and open for all to see in virtually real time.

“Only a tiny handful of monitors record volume. We could expand this, but bills would go up to pay for it.

“We would prefer to get on and actually fix the problem rather than delaying progress by installing ever more monitors that would tell us nothing whatsoever about actual impact.”

A recent investigation by the Marine Conservation Society discovered around 6,000 emergency overflows – separate from the storm overflows water companies typically monitor – were not being recorded.

Emergency overflows are only supposed to be used in critical situations, such as if there is an electrical failure at a pumping station.

Ministers need to get tougher on these water firms by demanding they fit proper sewage monitors which are up to the job

Liberal Democrat MP Tim Farron

More than 90% of them are not monitored either for volume, duration or frequency. Water companies are required to monitor only those that have the potential to discharge into shellfish waters.

Mr Farron said: “Either these firms are withholding data from the public, which would be an extremely serious offence, or they just aren’t bothering to fit proper sewage monitors.

“Ministers need to get tougher on these water firms by demanding they fit proper sewage monitors which are up to the job.

“The Government is letting water firms get away with faulty and flawed monitors.”

A Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs spokesman said: “This Government is the first to require water companies in England to monitor every single storm overflow. The proportion of those monitored has increased from 7% in 2010 to 91% now, reaching 100% cover by end of this year.

“Greater transparency means we can hold companies to account. For instance, the regulators are undertaking the largest civil and criminal investigations in water company history.

“This is alongside the increased investment, tougher enforcement and tighter regulation that we are delivering through our plan for water.”

Water UK and Thames Water have been contacted for comment.