Rivers Trust criticises Government sewage pollution amendment Environment Bill - "weaker and doesn’t go far enough"
The Rivers Trust has criticised last night’s amendment in the House of Commons to the Environment Bill intended to address the issue of the discharge of untreated sewage.
Ofwat warns on storm overflows - current levels of discharges into rivers cannot continue
Water sector regulator Ofwat has said that the current levels of storm overflow discharges into rivers cannot continue and must be tackled by the water sector.
Widespread criticism as MPs vote against legal requirement for water companies to end sewage discharge into rivers
The vote by MPs last week in the House of Commons against amending the Environment Bill to stop water companies dumping raw sewage into Britain’s rivers is the target of ongoing and widespread criticism in the press and on social media.
Sewage discharges – House of Lords amends Environment Bill to impose new legal duty on water companies
The House of Lords has voted 184 votes to 147 to support an amendment to the Environment Bill imposing a new legal duty on water companies to "take all reasonable steps" to ensure untreated sewage is not discharged from storm overflows into inland waters.
Charity submits formal complaint to Office for Environmental Protection over Government and Ofwat failure to enforce sewage pollution laws
The Salmon & Trout Conservation has submitted a formal complaint to the Office for Environmental Protection (OEP) on the failure of OFWAT and Secretaries of State to enforce law on sewage pollution of English rivers.
Government strengthens new measures in Environment Bill to tackle storm overflows
The Government has brought in new measures in the Environment Bill to tackle storm overflows with a new requirement for water companies to monitor the water quality impacts of their sewage discharges and publish the information.
Environment Bill resumes passage through Parliament
The Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs has announced that the Environment Bill has now resumed its passage through Parliament after a pause due to the coronavirus outbreak.
Latest Environment Agency figures reveal all English rivers fail pollution tests
New figures released by the Environment Agency have revealed that none of the river, lakes and streams are classed as in good health in England, despite a target for all waters to be in good health by 2027.
Environment Bill introduced to Parliament
The Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs has announced today that the government’s Environment Bill has been introduced to Parliament.
NCC warns government environment policies leave “vast holes in protection” and “gaping hole in legal enforcement”
The Natural Capital Committee, the government’s independent advisor on natural capital, is warning that the government’s current environmental policies leave “vast holes in environmental protection” and “a gaping hole in legal enforcement.
News Showcase
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Making storm overflow data make Sense – Metasphere launches dedicated monitoring device
With the UK government demanding a 50% reduction in storm overflow spills by 2029, the era of reactive management is over. Speaking in the House of Commons on 21 July 2025, then environment secretary Steve Reed said, “This Government will cut water companies’ sewage pollution in half by the end of the decade.” -
King’s Award for Enterprise shows ERG moving forward with growth in UK and Asia
ERG, the leading supplier of odour control systems and industrial gas cleaning & thermal systems, has been awarded the coveted King’s Award for Enterprise. -
Welsh Water’s ORAI system shortlisted for three categories at the British Data Awards 2026
Welsh Water’s new artificial intelligence-driven tool, ORAI, has been shortlisted for three categories at the prestigious British Data Awards 2026 – underscoring the company’s commitment to using cutting-edge technology to deliver better outcome for customers. -
Barhale completes two Rapid Action Taskforce Spills projects for Severn Trent
Barhale has completed work on two separate Rapid Action Taskforce Spills projects it is carrying out for Severn Trent.
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Scottish Water completes £235m investment in two-way connection between drinking water networks
Hear how Scottish Water has completed its £235 million Ayrshire Glasgow Resilience Project - customers across Greater Glasgow, Ayrshire and East Renfrewshire will now benefit from a more secure and resilient water supply. -
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Top Stories
- Yorkshire Water seeks supply chain interest in upcoming £50 million AMP8 tender for capital delivery resourcing
- New report from CCW and Ofwat paints damning picture of South East Water response to water supply disruption last winter
- South West Water fined record c£1.9 million for drinking water failures in Brixham
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