Revealed: More than 3,000 ‘monster’ sewage dumps into waterways last year

Government and water companies urged to ‘get a grip’ as high-frequency spills soar by 63%

The number of “monster” sewage dumps in rivers and coastlines rose sharply in 2022, new analysis reveals, with the increase in severe spillages dubbed a “national scandal”.

There were 3,276 “high-frequency sewage spills” in England and Wales last year, according to analysis by the Lib Dems, who urged government ministers and water companies to “get a grip”.

That represents a rise of 63 per cent since 2021, when there were 2,008 storm overflows classed as having a “high spill frequency” – meaning water firms dump so much sewage into a single area that they are obliged to investigate the cause and report on which action has been taken within three months.