Newly ireleased independent analysis has estimated that more than half of Thames Water’s 351 sewage treatment works are currently operating without sufficient capacity to treat the volumes of sewage they receive.

Northumbrian Water has completed a £4.9 million project that will help to protect water quality in the River Tyne. Upgrades at the water company’s sewage treatment works (STW) in Hexham will ensure the site’s resilience and help maintain the quality of the final effluent released, reducing the risk of pollution.

Northumbrian Water has invested more than £17 million in upgrades at six sewage treatment sites, helping to protect water quality in local watercourses.

The Environment Agency is surging water company inspections in the South West – EA inspection teams are continuing to grow, focused on checks, enforcement, and regulation.

Severn Trent is preparing to start work on the next phase of its £18 million programme of upgrades at its Yaddlesthorpe Sewage Treatment Works in Lincolnshire.

Severn Trent is progressing work on a £7.6 million upgrade for Hixon sewage treatment works - the utility’s latest project to improve the water and wastewater networks in Staffordshire.

Thames Water has been fined £3.34 million in court after millions of litres of raw sewage flooded two rivers near Gatwick. In addition to the £3.34 million fine, the judge ordered Thames Water to pay the Environment Agency’s costs of £128,961.05.

The Environment Agency (EA) and Ofwat have launched a major investigation into sewage treatment works, after new checks led to water companies admitting that they could be releasing unpermitted sewage discharges into rivers and watercourses.

Ofwat has today called on water companies to spell out plans for how they will cut the harm they cause to rivers in England. 

Philip Dunne MP, Chair of the House of Commons Environmental Audit Committee is calling for the water companies to double their investment in water treatment.