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England water firms discharged raw sewage 7,280 times in 2026

9/1/2026

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Summary

Story summary

England's water companies discharged raw sewage on dry days 7,280 times between January and May 2026.
South West Water logged 1,299 dry-day sewage discharges in the first five months of 2026.
Liberal Democrat councillor Ed Tyldesley reported 664 spills at 184 sites despite only 16.5 mm of rain.
Defra declared the pollution unacceptable and required water companies to report dry-day spills as incidents.

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Story summary

England's water companies discharged raw sewage on dry days 7,280 times between January and May 2026.
South West Water logged 1,299 dry-day sewage discharges in the first five months of 2026.
Liberal Democrat councillor Ed Tyldesley reported 664 spills at 184 sites despite only 16.5 mm of rain.
Defra declared the pollution unacceptable and required water companies to report dry-day spills as incidents.