1-20 of 8,733 results for subject:Sewage
Librarians' tools
- Search time
- 0.465 seconds
- Solr query time
- 0.021 seconds
- Search query
- subject:Sewage
- We searched for
- subject_t:Sewage OR subject_t:"Domestic liquid waste" OR subject_t:"Waste waters" OR subject_ses:92977
Type
House
Session
More
Year
More
Department
More
Member
More
Primary member
More
Answering member
More
Legislative stage
Legislation
More
Subject
More
Publisher
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of the potential merits of mandating year-round quality monitoring at designated bathing waters for sewage, pollution, and other harmful contaminants; and whether she will bring forward legislative proposals to amend the Bathing Water...
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of the potential merits of mandating year-round quality monitoring at designated bathing waters for sewage, pollution, and other harmful contaminants; and whether she will bring forward legislative proposals to amend the Bathing Water...
The Environment Agency (EA) monitors designated bathing waters during the bathing water season for E. coli and intestinal enterococci, indicators of faecal contamination. The EA monitors bathing waters more frequently than the statutory minimum sampling requirements.
In November 2025, Defra introduced greater flexibility to bathing season dates through reforms to the Bathing Water Regulations 2013, enabling the opportunity for monitoring periods to better reflect local use. Defra and the EA are assessing how this could work in practice, including the impacts of changes to season lengths.
We continue to consider whether to expand "bather" to include other water users.
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what discussions her Department has had with Thames Water regarding sewage discharge in the River Roding.
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what discussions her Department has had with Thames Water regarding sewage discharge in the River Roding.
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment he has made of the risk of residential development being approved in areas where Local Plans have been delayed or withdrawn following Local Government Reorganisation before necessary water supply and wastewater infrastructure improvements have been secured;...
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment he has made of the risk of residential development being approved in areas where Local Plans have been delayed or withdrawn following Local Government Reorganisation before necessary water supply and wastewater infrastructure improvements have been secured;...
The government remains determined to drive local plans to adoption as quickly as possible in order to achieve our ambition of universal plan coverage and to ensure that plans contribute positively to increasing rates of housebuilding and infrastructure delivery. Local government reorganisation should not hinder the adoption of an up-to-date local plan.
National planning policy makes clear that local plans should be positively prepared and, as a minimum, seek to meet identified development needs. Local planning authorities are expected to do all they reasonably can to meet need, including working proactively with infrastructure providers (including water providers) to align growth and infrastructure provision. If needs cannot be met, the authority must clearly and robustly explain the reasons during the plan examination. The approach the authority has taken, including how it engaged with infrastructure providers, will be a key consideration for the independent Inspector in evaluating whether the local plan can be found ‘sound’.
Local planning authorities should consider whether otherwise unacceptable development could be made acceptable through the use of conditions or planning obligations. This could include the provision of infrastructure which is necessary to make a development acceptable in planning terms. Where it is in place, developers may also contribute towards infrastructure through the Community Infrastructure Levy.
Defra has established a Water Delivery Taskforce to ensure that water companies deliver on their planned investments to provide water and wastewater capacity. Water companies are under a statutory duty to provide new water and sewerage connections and must plan for future growth through their water resources and wastewater management plans. The water resources planning guideline published by the Environment Agency and Ofwat. Sets out how those companies should forecast demand for water based on existing customers and planned levels of household and non-household growth.
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment has the Government made of the potential impact of additional housing growth on chalk stream catchments in instances where wastewater treatment works are functioning at or near full capacity.
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment has the Government made of the potential impact of additional housing growth on chalk stream catchments in instances where wastewater treatment works are functioning at or near full capacity.
My Department has made no such specific assessment.
Between 16 December 2025 and 10 March 2026, we consulted on a new National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF). That draft Framework, which can be found on gov.uk here, includes a new reference to chalk streams as features of high environmental value and an updated definition of irreplaceable habitat, setting out more clearly the criteria which decision-makers should consider when determining whether a habitat falls under the definition.
It also requires early engagement between relevant plan-making authorities and utility providers so that development plans are informed by a clear understanding of capacity and future requirements for water infrastructure, and includes a new decision-making policy to support the delivery of water supply, drainage, and wastewater infrastructure, giving substantial weight to the benefits of improving capacity for existing users, supporting growth, improving water quality and reducing waterborne pollution.
We are currently analysing the feedback received and will publish our response in due course.
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, how will the Government ensure that housing growth required through national planning policy is matched by timely funding for water supply, sewerage and wastewater infrastructure during the transition to new unitary authorities.
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, how will the Government ensure that housing growth required through national planning policy is matched by timely funding for water supply, sewerage and wastewater infrastructure during the transition to new unitary authorities.
I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 6660 on 10 June 2026.
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of the wastewater treatment capacity of Alton Sewage Treatment Works to accommodate planned housing growth in Alton, Four Marks, Holybourne and surrounding villages; and whether Thames Water has set a...
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of the wastewater treatment capacity of Alton Sewage Treatment Works to accommodate planned housing growth in Alton, Four Marks, Holybourne and surrounding villages; and whether Thames Water has set a...
Sewerage undertakers, in this case Thames Water, must ensure that their sites can support current and future customer needs, and plan upgrades accordingly.
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what recent assessment she has made of the levels of sewage inflow into the River Mersey.
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what recent assessment she has made of the levels of sewage inflow into the River Mersey.
The Environment Agency’s 2025-2030 Water Industry National Environment Programme is assessing risks from storm overflows in the Mersey catchment. The programme requires United Utilities to investigate the impact of over 450 storm overflows and to complete three investigations aimed at developing a catchment scale approach to reducing sewage discharges.
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what recent discussions she has had with Thames Water on the prevention of sewage overflows into rivers and waterways.
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what recent discussions she has had with Thames Water on the prevention of sewage overflows into rivers and waterways.
Between April 2025 and April 2026, the Environment Agency carried out more than 850 inspections of Thames Water assets, identifying breaches and driving improvements through enforcement action.
We have also strengthened accountability, with Ofwat’s new executive remuneration rules now in force, resulting in Thames Water’s 2024-25 bonuses being banned.
The Secretary of State recently met my constituent Reuben Santer, whose case was featured in the “Dirty Business” documentary. Reuben campaigns to ensure that real-time sewage information is available to bathers at the beachside. Will the Minister work with local councils and water companies to explore the feasibility of such a scheme?
The Secretary of State recently met my constituent Reuben Santer, whose case was featured in the “Dirty Business” documentary. Reuben campaigns to ensure that real-time sewage information is available to bathers at the beachside. Will the Minister work with local councils and water companies to explore the feasibility of such a scheme?
My hon. Friend raises a hugely important topic, and Reuben’s story was extremely moving to hear at first hand. I extend my deepest sympathy to the families of all those who have been affected by sickness through using the water around England, and I share their anger, outrage and desire for change. We reformed the Bathing Water Regulations 2013 so that they are fit for purpose, and we are looking at water quality classification information. We also have the Environment Agency’s Swimfo website. We will continue to look at how we can best keep bathers safe.
My hon. Friend raises a hugely important topic, and Reuben’s story was extremely moving to hear at first hand. I extend my deepest sympathy to the families of all those who have been affected by sickness through using the water around England, and I share their anger, outrage and desire for change. We reformed the Bathing Water Regulations 2013 so that they are fit for purpose, and we are looking at water quality classification information. We also have the Environment Agency’s Swimfo website. We will continue to look at how we can best keep bathers safe.
My hon. Friend raises a hugely important topic, and Reuben’s story was extremely moving to hear at first hand. I extend my deepest sympathy to the families of all those who have been affected by sickness through using the water around England, and I share their anger, outrage and desire for change. We reformed the Bathing Water Regulations 2013 so that they are fit for purpose, and we are looking at water quality classification information. We also have the Environment Agency’s Swimfo website. We will continue to look at how we can best keep bathers safe.
The Secretary of State recently met my constituent Reuben Santer, whose case was featured in the “Dirty Business” documentary. Reuben campaigns to ensure that real-time sewage information is available to bathers at the beachside. Will the Minister work with local councils and water companies to explore the feasibility of such a scheme?
The beautiful River Wey runs through my constituency, but storm overflows from the Farnham sewage treatment works are increasingly polluting the river, affecting my residents and businesses and those further afield, including the Peper Harow Park fly fishers in the constituency of my right hon. Friend the Member for Godalming and Ash (Sir Jeremy Hunt). What discussions is the Minister having with Thames Water about stopping the discharges from the Farnham sewage works?
The beautiful River Wey runs through my constituency, but storm overflows from the Farnham sewage treatment works are increasingly polluting the river, affecting my residents and businesses and those further afield, including the Peper Harow Park fly fishers in the constituency of my right hon. Friend the Member for Godalming and Ash (Sir Jeremy Hunt). What discussions is the Minister having with Thames Water about stopping the discharges from the Farnham sewage works?
The hon. Member is right to feel outraged at the amount of pollution and the situation with Thames Water. He will have heard the Secretary of State’s comments on what we are doing on Thames Water and her early views on the original deal put forward by the creditors to clean this up. That is why we took action with the Water (Special Measures) Act 2025 to bring in tougher regulation, and why just yesterday we announced automatic penalties for companies that continue to pollute.
The hon. Member is right to feel outraged at the amount of pollution and the situation with Thames Water. He will have heard the Secretary of State’s comments on what we are doing on Thames Water and her early views on the original deal put forward by the creditors to clean this up. That is why we took action with the Water (Special Measures) Act 2025 to bring in tougher regulation, and why just yesterday we announced automatic penalties for companies that continue to pollute.
The hon. Member is right to feel outraged at the amount of pollution and the situation with Thames Water. He will have heard the Secretary of State’s comments on what we are doing on Thames Water and her early views on the original deal put forward by the creditors to clean this up. That is why we took action with the Water (Special Measures) Act 2025 to bring in tougher regulation, and why just yesterday we announced automatic penalties for companies that continue to pollute.
The beautiful River Wey runs through my constituency, but storm overflows from the Farnham sewage treatment works are increasingly polluting the river, affecting my residents and businesses and those further afield, including the Peper Harow Park fly fishers in the constituency of my right hon. Friend the Member for Godalming and Ash (Sir Jeremy Hunt). What discussions is the Minister having with Thames Water about stopping the discharges from the Farnham sewage works?
The hon. Member is right that we inherited record levels of pollution, and we are determined to tackle that and clean up our waterways. We have acted by banning unfair bonuses, introducing jail time for lawbreaking bosses and unlocking £104 billion of private investment to rebuild vital infrastructure to deliver cleaner waters, and we also have the clean water Bill. Of course I will arrange for her to meet the Minister.
The hon. Member is right that we inherited record levels of pollution, and we are determined to tackle that and clean up our waterways. We have acted by banning unfair bonuses, introducing jail time for lawbreaking bosses and unlocking £104 billion of private investment to rebuild vital infrastructure to deliver cleaner waters, and we also have the clean water Bill. Of course I will arrange for her to meet the Minister.
Q8
.
Dr Roz Savage (South Cotswolds) (LD):
My constituency is the ninth most sewage-polluted constituency in the entire country, with thousands of hours of sewage pouring into the Thames, Avon and Coln, but that metric of hours conceals the truth. It does not convey the actual volume, and clearly a trickle is very different from a gush. Will the Deputy Prime Minister arrange for me to meet the relevant Minister on requiring water companies to report on the volume and concentration of sewage discharges, as well as the number of hours?
Q8
.
Dr Roz Savage (South Cotswolds) (LD):
My constituency is the ninth most sewage-polluted constituency in the entire country, with thousands of hours of sewage pouring into the Thames, Avon and Coln, but that metric of hours conceals the truth. It does not convey the actual volume, and clearly a trickle is very different from a gush. Will the Deputy Prime Minister arrange for me to meet the relevant Minister on requiring water companies to report on the volume and concentration of sewage discharges, as well as the number of hours?
Q8
.
Dr Roz Savage (South Cotswolds) (LD):
My constituency is the ninth most sewage-polluted constituency in the entire country, with thousands of hours of sewage pouring into the Thames, Avon and Coln, but that metric of hours conceals the truth. It does not convey the actual volume, and clearly a trickle is very different from a gush. Will the Deputy Prime Minister arrange for me to meet the relevant Minister on requiring water companies to report on the volume and concentration of sewage discharges, as well as the number of hours?
The hon. Member is right that we inherited record levels of pollution, and we are determined to tackle that and clean up our waterways. We have acted by banning unfair bonuses, introducing jail time for lawbreaking bosses and unlocking £104 billion of private investment to rebuild vital infrastructure to deliver cleaner waters, and we also have the clean water Bill. Of course I will arrange for her to meet the Minister.
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of the potential merits of implementing the measures in the Chalk Streams (Sewerage Investment) Bill.
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of the potential merits of implementing the measures in the Chalk Streams (Sewerage Investment) Bill.
This Government is committed to the protection and restoration of our cherished chalk streams.
We are already taking action to hold water companies and other polluters to account through the Water (Special Measures) Act 2025 and water companies are required to prepare, publish and maintain comprehensive Drainage and Wastewater Management Plans setting out the actions the company intends to take or continue, to deliver robust public sewerage services and prevent environmental damage, including to chalk streams.
Chalk streams are ‘high-priority sites’ as part of the Storm Overflows Discharge Reduction Plan and are prioritised as part of the £11bn of investment to improve nearly 3,000 storm overflows in England and Wales over the next 5 years.
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether her Department has discussed with local planning authorities the potential for allowing alternative on-site wastewater treatment solutions where these may reduce nutrient discharge into protected waterways.
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether her Department has discussed with local planning authorities the potential for allowing alternative on-site wastewater treatment solutions where these may reduce nutrient discharge into protected waterways.
The Government supports innovation in the water sector and works closely with regulators to ensure solutions comply with requirements.
Nutrient pollution from wastewater is one of the key pressures affecting our rivers, lakes, and seas. The Government is committed to tackling Phosphorus pollution caused by wastewater discharges.
In the Environmental Improvement Plan 2025, we set an interim target to reduce phosphorus loadings by 55% by 2030 against a 2020 baseline. To meet this target, we will require water companies to upgrade 440 wastewater treatment works by 2030 to meet stricter phosphorus permit limits, reducing harmful nutrient pollution from treated wastewater.
Agreed to on question.
Agreed to on question.
I am grateful for the opportunity to raise the issue of sewage pollution in the River Otter, a river that flows through many of the Devon communities that I represent.
I should say at the outset that, this morning, I declined an offer of hospitality from the new chief executive of...
I am grateful for the opportunity to raise the issue of sewage pollution in the River Otter, a river that flows through many of the Devon communities that I represent.
I should say at the outset that, this morning, I declined an offer of hospitality from the new chief executive of...