The Environment Agency has recently unveiled its Event Duration Monitoring (EDM) data for the year 2023, offering insights into the frequency and duration of storm overflow spills across

England.

As a significant milestone, the Agency highlights that all storm overflows throughout the water network are now equipped with event duration monitors, fulfilling the government's mandate set for completion by the end of 2023. This achievement marks a remarkable transformation, considering that only 7% of storm overflows were fitted with monitors in 2010, positioning England as a global leader in storm overflow monitoring.

In 2023, data was collected from 14,318 storm overflows, a notable increase from previous years, reflecting the expanding installation of monitoring devices. However, the Agency cautions against direct comparisons of spill data over time due to this evolving monitoring landscape.

The data for 2023 reveals a 54% surge in sewage spills compared to 2022, partly attributed to the year's designation by the Met Office as the 6th wettest on record since 1836. Key findings from the report include:

- The average number of spills per overflow increased to 33 in 2023, up from 23 in 2022.

- 40% of storm overflows experienced fewer than 10 spills in 2023, compared to 48% in 2022.

- 13.9% of storm overflows did not spill at all in 2023, slightly down from 18% in 2022.

The Environment Agency emphasizes that rainfall remains the primary driver of storm overflow spills, underscoring the pressure on England's combined sewer network caused by surface water run-off. However, it stresses that heavy rainfall does not absolve water companies of their legal obligations to manage storm overflows effectively.

The Agency intends to leverage this data to guide compliance efforts and investigations, providing a framework for targeted investment by water companies. It reaffirms its commitment to enforcing regulations, citing a recent fourfold increase in water company inspections to uncover environmental non-compliance.

Helen Wakeham, Director of Water at the Environment Agency, acknowledges the increase in sewage spills in 2023, attributing it to the complexity of the issue and emphasizing the Agency's enhanced monitoring capabilities. She underscores the importance of accountability and enforcement, enabled by robust monitoring infrastructure and intelligence from whistleblower reports.

Water Minister Robbie Moore echoes these sentiments, reaffirming the government's stance against sewage pollution and outlining various initiatives to address the issue. He emphasizes the need for water companies to accelerate efforts in tackling sewage pollution and pledges close scrutiny and enforcement action where necessary.

With 100% of storm overflows now monitored, the Environment Agency emphasizes the role of data-driven analytics in mapping discharges against rainfall patterns, enhancing compliance monitoring, and facilitating public access to information through an interactive data portal. The government continues to advocate for accelerated action by water companies to combat sewage pollution, backed by increased investment, whistleblower reporting mechanisms, and stringent enforcement measures. Photo buy Kate Jewell, Wikimedia commons.