20 Mar
Question
Sewage Discharge Reduction: Water Company Investment

The discussion in the House of Commons centered around reducing sewage discharges through increased investments from water companies, prompted notably by current pollution levels in waterways. The Water (Special Measures) Act 2025 has introduced enhanced regulatory powers for Ofwat, aimed at curbing excessive bonuses for water executives while ensuring more funds are dedicated to infrastructure improvements. During the session, multiple locales facing notable sewage spill instances were highlighted, raising concerns over the effectiveness of current water sector governance.

406 hours

Total reported hours of sewage discharge in several locations within Jeremy Hunt's constituency over 2023.

Outcome

The commitment from the government to enforce stricter controls on water companies, alongside the implementation of the Water (Special Measures) Act 2025, signals a promising step towards addressing and mitigating the ongoing sewage discharge issues. The session culminated in a reassured pledge to hold water companies accountable and ensure proper use of allocated investment funds for sewage infrastructure upgrades.

Key Contributions

Jeremy Hunt
Conservative

Posed a question regarding Ofwat's engagement with water companies for increased sewage reduction investments.

Steve Reed

Reiterated regular discussions with Ofwat and shared the Water (Special Measures) Act 2025 provisions aimed at holding water companies accountable.

Amanda Hack
Labour

Expressed constituent frustrations about local sewage pollution and demanded proof of governmental accountability from water companies.

Original Transcript
Jeremy Hunt
Godalming and Ash
Con
Question
UIN: 903288

2. What recent discussions he has had with Ofwat on encouraging water companies to increase investment in sewage discharge reduction measures.

The Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Steve Reed
09:44

My officials and I have regular conversations with Ofwat and other regulators. As the right hon.

Gentleman will be aware, last year water companies discharged record levels of sewage into our waterways, which is why the Water (Special Measures) Act 2025 gives the regulator tough new powers, including the ability to ban the payment of unfair bonuses to polluting water bosses.

The Government have also secured a record £104 billion that will include improvements to more than 3,000 storm overflows and significantly reduce sewage spills over the next five years.

Jeremy Hunt
09:45

I wish you a happy World Sparrow Day, Madam Deputy Speaker. In Bramley in my constituency in 2023, sewage was spilled into the local river for 59 hours. In Godalming, the figure was 83 hours; in Chiddingfold, it was 410 hours; and in Cranleigh, it was 691 hours.

That is the equivalent of nearly two hours every single day—it is totally unacceptable. As a result, last year, after pressure from me and others, Thames Water agreed to invest £400 million by the end of next year.

Will the Secretary of State meet me and the chief executive of Thames Water to see whether that money is actually being spent?

Amanda Hack
North West Leicestershire
Lab
09:45

I get so many people in North West Leicestershire telling me about the toxic sewage pouring into their waterways, such as in the brook near Donington le Heath.

Will the Secretary of State assure me that, unlike the previous Government, when he says that he will hold the water bosses to account, he means it?

Steve Reed
09:46

Absolutely. That is why we have passed—and my hon.

Friend will have voted for—the Water (Special Measures) Act, which gives the regulator the power they need to hold those water bosses to account so that instead of paying themselves multimillion-pound bonuses they do not deserve, that money is spent where it should be spent: on fixing our broken sewage system, so that we can cut the sewage flows that are polluting our rivers up and down the country.

All content derived from official parliamentary records