The allegation that Conservative MPs have “voted to dump sewage onto beaches” is false.
Whilst I agree that the amount of sewage discharged by water companies into our rivers and seas is unacceptable, this is the first Government to set out expectations that water companies must take steps to reduce storm overflows significantly. This instruction will now be put on an enhanced legal footing.
We have increased fines, increased monitoring, and legislated to force water companies to reduce discharges.
This Government is the first in our country’s history to ever take any action on storm overflows. My Liberal Democrat predecessor in North Cornwall, despite being Water Minister for over 18 months, failed to take any action on storm overflows. It is only because of the increased monitoring of storm overflows – directed by this Government – that we know how bad the problem really is. Since 2016 the number of outflows monitored has dramatically increased - from 6% to 90%. That is one of the main reasons why the numbers of incidents are ‘increasing’, despite the fact that our waters are actually getting cleaner. Data from the Environment Agency backs this up. Since 2008 the percentage of bathing waters rated as excellent has increased from 53% to 72%.
Ultimately, we have an old combined sewer system in this country, meaning rainwater and sewage both flow into it. It is not a coincidence that discharges happen most often during or after heavy rain. This is because most of our sewage system was built a long time ago when environmental concerns were not a priority, such are the downsides of being a nation that industrialised and built public works relatively early. Going forward, it is expected that new sewers will be built differently where possible.
If this additional pressure is not discharged, the wastewater – including sewage – will back up into the streets and into people’s homes. This is not hyperbolic; it is a fact.
Solving this problem will require investing tens, maybe even hundreds of billions of pounds. and I want water companies paying for these upgrades – not taxpayers. That is why we have to reduce storm overflows gradually, not all at once.
For example, the £4.3 billion Thames Tideway Sewer in London will, when complete, stop overflows from the 34 most polluting combined sewer overflows in London. Unfortunately, there are over 21,000 combined sewer overflows across the UK, which gives you an idea of the costs likely to be involved in solving the problem completely.
Several votes have taken place in Parliament over the past few years that have been engineered for political purposes. The measures supported by opposition MPs would not have banned sewage overflows, as some falsely claim. It is estimated that the proposals would have cost £12,000 - £21,000 per household. Conservative MPs have voted to amend plans, not block them. We removed the sections that would have meant massive bills for families across the UK. These votes are cynical party politics at its worst, not a serious debate about solving the problem.
I understand how emotive and important a subject this is. Storm overflows remain, for the time being, a horrible and unfortunate necessity, and I think most residents recognise that. I am committed to seeing the end of combined sewer discharges over time and to placing the obligation for dealing with the issue squarely on the water companies – not Cornish taxpayers.
