Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps he is taking to ensure that water companies set long-term wastewater plans to prevent sewage polluting rivers.

Pollution caused by sewage is mainly addressed through the implementation of the Urban Waste Water Treatment Regulations which set standards for the collection and treatment of sewage. Since privatisation, around £25 billion has been invested to reduce pollution from sewage, covering improvements in sewage treatment and reducing sewer overflows. In England, between 2015 and 2020, water companies are investing over £3 billion to improve their sewerage infrastructure, guided by the requirements of the Environment Agency.

The Government’s strategic policy statement to Ofwat, the economic regulator, makes it clear that we expect it to challenge water and sewerage companies to improve planning and investment to meet the wastewater needs of current and future customers and to protect the environment. Ofwat’s draft methodology for the 2019 price review encourages companies to discuss with customers and to bring forward well developed, long-term wastewater plans to support their business plans and steer investment.

In addition, the 21^st Century Drainage Programme led by the industry body Water UK is working to support the development of resilient and affordable sewerage and drainage systems for the long term.