The Environment Agency today announced it has taken further action on sewage overflows in England and Wales to ensure they pose a minimal risk to the quality of rivers and seas. It is the conclusion of a 20-year comprehensive programme by the organisation to reduce the pollution risks posed by sewage overflows.

The Environment Agency has worked with water and sewage companies to prioritise the most polluting overflows in a £2.5bn investment programme since the water industry was privatised in 1989. By the end of 2008, around 6,000 of the highest risk overflows had been rebuilt, improved or eliminated, resulting in major improvements to water quality in rivers and around the coastlines in England and Wales.

The remaining 4,193 overflows had been identified as posing a low risk to the environment. Their potential to cause pollution is low or they are only used in extreme circumstances. The Environment Agency has now set legal standards for them to provide additional protection for rivers and coastal waters.

Sewage overflows have historically played an important role in the sewerage system. They allow excess water and sewage to release into the sea or rivers during extreme weather such as heavy rain or flooding. This has prevented it from backing up into streets and homes.

Water quality in rivers and bathing waters around England and Wales has been steadily improving over the past 20 years. For example, 76 per cent of English rivers are of 'very good' or 'good' quality, up from 55 per cent in 1990. Bathing water standards have also increased from 32 per cent in 1990 to 70 per cent last year. The work the Environment Agency has required water and sewerage companies to carry out to reduce the impact of sewer overflows has made a significant contribution to these improvements.

Paul Leinster, Chief Executive at the Environment Agency said:

“We want the cleanest possible rivers and seas. To achieve this, the amount of pollution going into them needs to reduce. We’ve been working with the water and sewerage companies to identify the highest sources of pollution from sewage overflows and together have acted to tackle them.

“By also bringing the lower risk overflows under stricter regulation, we’re ensuring the quality of rivers and coastal waters continues to be protected and improved. Water and sewerage companies now have a legal duty to monitor and maintain the overflows so that there are no serious pollution incidents. We will enforce this wherever necessary.

“Water utilities have a big responsibility in helping to maintain and improve inland and coastal waters. The programme of river and habitat protection the Environment Agency oversees will mean that rivers and coastal waters are protected for people, wildlife and the environment.”

Thomas Bell, at the Marine Conservation Society, said: “Together with the Blueprint for Water partners we have been pushing hard for these sewage overflows to be reviewed and formally licensed. It’s great news that the Environment Agency has now done so. Legal standards for pollution along the coast and rivers have gone up. The public expects better protection for itself and the environment, and tighter control of sewage overflow discharges will be vital in achieving this.”

Under the EU Water Framework Directive, water quality will be assessed in future using a new, tougher methodology.