Paddle UK is shocked and disappointed in the latest figures published on the number of storm overflow sewage spills in England last year.
The Environment Agency has published its Event Duration Monitoring (EDM) data for 2023 showing the frequency and duration of spills from storm overflows in England.
The data for 2023 shows 464,056 spills, a 54% increase in the number of sewage spills compared to 2022, and a 13% increase compared to 2020.
The data was returned from 14,318 storm overflows during the calendar year of 2023, up from 13,313 in 2022 and 12,092 in 2020.
It was always likely the number of spills would increase, given more combined sewer overflows are now being monitored. However, what the release of this data is uncovering year on year is the sheer scale of sewage discharge that is entering our precious waterways.
It is fair to say, 2023 was a particularly wet year, but even with higher rainfall and more dilution, the increase in spills means that there is greater chance that harmful bacteria and viruses will be present in our rivers, more often.
This places paddlers, swimmers, rowers, anglers, triathletes at increased risk of getting sick.
The data also shows that in 2023:
- The average number of spills per overflow was 33 compared to 23 in 2022 and 32.6 in 2020
- 40% of storm overflows spilled less than 10 times in 2023 compared to 48% in 2022 and 40% in 2020
- 13.9% of storm overflows did not spill at all in 2023 compared to 18% in 2022 and 13% in 2020
Chantelle Grundy, Access and Environment Lead at Paddle UK, said
“Given the potential impacts on public health to water sports and recreational users, these latest sewage discharge figures are truly shocking, urgent action is needed, rather than the government's current target of 2050.”
Earlier this month Paddle UK attended the End Sewage Pollution Coalition's parliamentary event in Westminster with an ask of Ministers and MP's to support our coalition backed manifesto building on our own Clear Access Clear Waters Campaign, to bring an urgent end to sewage pollution.
Whilst the latest figures are alarming, so please do check out our guidance on waterborne diseases and how to stay safe enabling you to spend time on the water:
https://gopaddling.info/weils-disease-and-other-waterborne-diseases-to-be-aware-of/