Sewage discharge - DEFRA Consultation

[LimL]

Forum members might like to respond to DEFRA's survey about the proposed programme to reduce storm sewage discharges.
https://consult.defra.gov.uk/water-industry/storm-overflows-discharge-reduction-plan/

This is something of importance that directly affects all river users.

 

[oldgit]

No rush.
HMG have given them 15 years to reduce the dumping of sewage by 50%.

Does not take long to complete and the notes give good idea of their proposals.

 

[Poecheng]

It actually affects us all - whether river or coast users.
Storm overflows have, because of misuse, become a misnomer.
A sewage plant is entitled under their permit to discharge to storm when (a) a high level of flow that is being treated is surpassed (b) due to the level of rainfall or snowmelt and (c) the storm storage tanks are full. The flow rate is set for ordinary peak conditions. So all three conditions should only be met, in the kind of circumstances when we see Avons on the High Street - exceptional events.
What has been happening is that, rather than treat the waste water they are paid by the consumer to treat, it is a lot easier and a LOT cheaper to simply send it to the storm tanks where it overflows into the storm outlet and into rivers or coastal waters.
It is an environmental issue, it is a regulatory issue (this was being done secretly) and it is a consumer issue.