BBC uncovers 6,000 possible illegal sewage spills in one year

The BBC's recent investigation has revealed a concerning issue in England, with nearly 6,000 potential illegal sewage spills identified in 2022. What's even more alarming is that these spills occurred during dry weather, which goes against the regulations. While water companies are permitted to release untreated sewage into rivers and seas during rainy weather to prevent flooding, doing so during dry weather is considered illegal. The companies have expressed their disagreement with the BBC's findings, claiming that the data shared with the Environment Agency was preliminary and unverified. They also disputed the BBC's definition of a dry spill, stating that it differs from the Environment Agency's approach. The analysis of spills data from nine firms suggests that sewage may have been discharged nearly 6,000 times when it had not been raining in 2022, including during the country's record heatwave. Despite the companies' understanding of the public's concerns around dry spilling, they remain in disagreement with the BBC's findings.