Rivers in the north of England are bearing the brunt of the sewage pollution crisis, analysis by the Guardian reveals, with the region’s waters experiencing the highest rates of waste discharge in the country. Storm overflows around the Irwell valley discharged raw sewage 12,000 times in 2023 — the highest rate of all English rivers when accounting for length, at 95 spills per mile.
New data from the Environment Agency shows that 2023 was the worst year on record for storm water pollution, with overflows spilling raw sewage into England’s rivers and seas for 3.6 million hours. Overflows should only be used during exceptional weather events, but a lack of investment means there is insufficient capacity at treatment works and a failure to maintain assets, contributing to the level of discharges.
The River Irwell, a popular waterway for rowers and the scene of several regattas, is now the worst sewage dumping ground in England. The River Darwen near Blackburn and Preston was second worst, with 3,145 sewage discharges in 2023, equivalent to 83 spills per mile. Only one river in the south of England features in the worst 10 — the River Avon through Bath and Bristol, which suffered 6,573 spills, or 74 spills per mile, making it the third most polluted.
Water companies have faced criticism as sewage spillages more than doubled on 2022. Several rivers saw large rises: spills on the Croal and Irwell rose from 7,168 in 2022 to 11,974 in 2023, while on the Avon stretch they rose from 3,966 to 6,573. Industry figures point to heavy rainfall over autumn and winter, stressing they are investing to upgrade the network. However, campaigners say the use of storm overflows has become routine after years of underinvestment.
Water UK, the trade association, said: “These results are unacceptable and demonstrate exactly why we urgently need regulatory approval to upgrade our system. We have a plan to sort this out by tripling investment which will cut spills by 40% by 2030 – more than double the government’s target.” Regulators are investigating widespread suspected illegal sewage dumping in breach of permit conditions.
