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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many sewage discharges there were by each water firm on days when no rain fell in 2022.

The Environment Agency is currently reviewing tens of millions of data from over 10,000 storm overflows for 2022. This involves modelling storm overflow discharge data, rainfall data and rainfall radar information across England. This will identify when spills from storm overflows have occurred on dry days, but further investigation is then required to establish what caused the spill and or whether or not there has been a breach of permit. This work will take several months to complete. Any breaches of permit identified will be considered for action under the Environment Agency’s Enforcement and Sanctions Policy.