Is the government breaking its own law on sewage in rivers and seas?

‘There are no quick fixes’ to the discharge scandal, according to the new watchdog – but public patience is running out, says John Rentoul

Thames Water makes a contribution to the River Thames from its Crossness Sewage Treatment Works, in southeast London, in July (AFP/Getty)

Ministers and regulators may have broken the law by allowing water companies to dump sewage into rivers and seas, according the Office for Environmental Protection (OEP), a new statutory watchdog.

It found the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), the Environment Agency (EA) and Ofwat may have misinterpreted the law and allowed water companies to pollute waterways when they shouldn’t.

Combined sewer overflows are only meant to be used in exceptional circumstances, such as after unusually heavy rain to prevent sewers backing up and flooding homes and businesses.