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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps she is taking to reduce the amount of rainwater entering sewer systems during periods when that rainwater may overload the sewer systems.

The Government is committed to tackling the root causes of sewage pollution by reducing the volume of rainwater and pollutants entering the sewerage system. The National Planning Policy Framework requires all new development to incorporate sustainable drainage systems that should be designed and maintained in accordance with the National Standards.

The Environment Agency works with water companies and regulators to reduce sewer overload from rainwater through catchment and nature-based approaches.