Thank you for contacting me about storm overflows and the Environment Act which gained Royal Assent in 2021. As well as improving a wide range of environmental standards, the Act revolutionises how water companies tackle the number of discharges of untreated sewage.  The Act has set a duty for water companies to achieve a progressive reduction in the adverse impacts of discharges from storm overflows, which I, like you want to see stopped. I also supported Philip Dunne's Sewage (Inland Waters) Private Member's Bill  because I feel so strongly about this issue.

In March 2022, the Government published the Storm Overflows Discharge Reduction Plan consultation. The new law requires a plan to be set out in September. This will mean water companies will face strict limits on when they can use storm overflows and must eliminate the harm any sewage discharge causes to the environment. 

Three major rivers run through West Worcestershire and it is my view that they should be properly managed. I am confident that the Government is forcing the water companies to take appropriate steps to end a practice which has existed for so many years, and to end it in a way that does not slap vast costs on your water bills at a time when we are all facing high inflation.

I am disappointed but not surprised that opposition parties are simplifying and distorting the full picture and social media is again being used to create a ‘s***storm’.

Thank you for sharing your views.