The GMB union has called for an urgent public inquiry into sewage dumping and ‘gross mismanagement’ of the entire water industry.
An emergency motion at GMB’s annual congress in Brighton yesterday questioned the investment and governance of the whole of the UK water industry
On behalf of thousands of water workers, GMB is campaigning to end sewage dumping in UK waters and for revenue from fines to be reinvested into infrastructure projects and improvements to water and waste management.
Cliff Roney, GMB Congress delegate said:
“We need the Government to look at the wider picture for clean, safe water. This is not just about sewage pollution it is also about our waterways, coastlines and water systems dying.
“Along with massive investment, for real change to happen the regulators and government must work together in partnership with the industry. No more apologies, just real action for improvement.
“Thousands of GMB members who work in this industry are passionate about the survival of their industry and are willing to be the eyes and ears of the regulators.
“We need an urgent public inquiry now.”
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.”
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