Environment secretary pledges to cut sewage pollution from water companies in half by 2030
UNITED KINGDOM, JUL 19 – The government plans a £104 billion investment to improve water infrastructure and reduce sewage pollution by 50%, following a 60% rise in serious pollution incidents in 2024.
- On 20 July 2025, Environment Secretary Steve Reed committed to reducing sewage contamination caused by water companies in England by 50% by the year 2030.
- The pledge follows a 60% rise in serious pollution incidents in 2024, reaching a record 2,801 events, driven by years of underinvestment and weak regulation.
- The government has secured £104 billion investment to upgrade pipes and treatment works and introduced measures including a 50% cut in storm overflow spills by 2030.
- Data shows sewage spilled into waterways for over 3.6 million hours in 2024, with 75 incidents causing serious harm to wildlife and human health, amidst nearly a quarter of sites breaching permits.
- The investment and reforms aim to improve water system resilience and hold companies accountable while some costs may increase consumer bills by about £123 annually.
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UK pledges to halve sewage pollution
The UK government on Sunday promised to halve sewage pollution caused by water companies by 2030, after the number of serious contamination incidents in England was revealed to have risen by 60 percent in a year. Privatised in 1989, UK water companies have been under attack over the discharge of significant quantities of sewage into rivers, lakes and the sea. Environment Secretary Steve Reed said water industry regulator Ofwat, which is reported…


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Steve Reed also pledged to halve sewage pollution from water companies by 2030 and announced £104 billion of private investment to help tackle the issue.
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