Raw sewage pollution in UK rivers and coastal waters soared to almost 4 million hours in 2023, according to new Environment Agency data, with protected natural sites facing weeks of untreated waste discharge.
The figures reveal that water companies discharged raw sewage for 3.62 million hours last year—a rise on the previous year despite public outcry, investment pledges, and mounting pressure for reform.
Campaigners and environmental groups say the data shows little progress has been made, accusing the industry of systemic failure and calling for radical changes to how water is managed in the UK.
Protected Beaches and Rivers Heavily Polluted
Beaches and rivers with the highest environmental protections were not spared. Chesil Beach in Dorset, a site with Ramsar, SAC, and SSSI status, saw 36 days of discharges by Wessex Water. The River Tweed endured 67 days of untreated effluent from Northumbrian Water, while South West Water dumped raw sewage at Salcombe Mouth beach for 107 days.
“These results are disgraceful,” said Environment Secretary Steve Reed. “They are a stark reminder of how years of underinvestment have led to water companies discharging unacceptable levels of sewage into our rivers, lakes, and seas.”
Water Bills Rising as Pollution Worsens
Water companies are raising customer bills by an average of £123 this year—one of the biggest hikes since privatisation—to help fund upgrades to ageing infrastructure. Yet raw sewage pollution continues to climb, with Anglian Water recording a 64% increase in discharge hours and Thames Water rising by over 50%.
While companies claim some improvement in spill incident counts—reporting a 2% reduction overall—the duration of discharges is increasing, undermining public trust and fuelling anger over the value of current investments.
Public Backlash and Calls for Reform
Environmental group Surfers Against Sewage said the situation remains “bleak.” Giles Bristow, the organisation’s CEO, added: “There is zero justification for sewage pollution at this sickening scale. The public’s trust is long gone, and the only course left is radical reform and the end of profit from pollution.”
Storm overflows—intended for emergency use—are now routinely discharging due to a mix of poor infrastructure investment and climate change-induced rainfall. The Environment Agency tracked 14,285 overflows using duration monitors, with many companies far exceeding the government’s 2050 target of 10 annual spills per overflow. Current averages range from 25 to 41.
Mixed Performance Across Water Companies
Not all companies fared equally. United Utilities reported a 31% reduction in discharge hours, Southern Water a 4% decrease, and Yorkshire Water also showed improvement. However, these were exceptions in an overall trend of stagnation or deterioration.
Labour’s Environment Secretary Steve Reed said the government is taking action by banning bonuses for polluting executives and introducing criminal charges for persistent offenders. He also highlighted £100 billion in secured private investment to upgrade infrastructure.
Meanwhile, MP Clive Lewis is pushing for parliamentary debate on future water management, warning that “toothless regulation” and corporate dominance threaten national security.
Industry Defends Investment Plans
Wessex Water pointed to a recently completed £1 million project at Chesil Beach as an example of ongoing investment. A Water UK spokesperson acknowledged the disappointing figures but insisted progress is underway, with £12 billion committed from April to cut storm overflow spills in half by 2030.
Still, critics argue that only a complete overhaul of the water industry will stop raw sewage pollution from devastating UK rivers, seas, and communities.
