Keep sewage out of homes and rivers and off beaches

Most of our sewers were built in Victorian times, for a population less than half what it is today. As a result of significant investment we have made huge progress in modernising this ageing infrastructure, but problems still remain. Whenever we experience heavy rainfall, sewers struggle to cope and raw sewage overflows, entering homes and polluting rivers and beaches.

Upgrade the sewage system to reduce discharges of sewage into urban environments and ecologically sensitive areas

1. By 2008, the Environment Agency must review and replace all ‘deemed’ consents given to water companies around the time of privatisation or earlier that allow them to discharge sewage into the environment without penalty.
   
2. In the 2009 price review, Ofwat must approve an investment programme to tackle the remaining intermittent sewage discharges that cause environmental damage, health risks and sewage flooding to homes.
   
3. In the 2009 price review, Ofwat should approve significant investment in sustainable alternatives to traditional high-energy and high-cost sewage treatment methods.
   
4. By 2009, Defra should remove the automatic right of connection of new developments to existing public sewers.