Multimillion pound investment to tackle storm overflows

Wessex Water is investing £3 million a month to tackle storm overflows and reduce how often they operate. The company’s Storm Overflows Improvement Plan will see every overflow in the region monitored by 2023, while the number of hours storm overflows discharge will be reduced by 25%.

New storm tanks will be built; nature-based solutions, like wetlands and reed-beds in rural locations introduced; and work will be carried out to separate rainwater from the sewer system. There will also be continuing investment in artificial intelligence monitoring at wild swimming sites to provide near real time information. A WebApp for Warleigh Weir, near Bath, is already being tested.

Capacity is being increased at the company’s two largest water recycling centres, serving Bristol and Bournemouth, to enable more stormwater to be stored and treated, with work due to start early next year.

Storm overflows have always been part of the UK’s sewerage network because most sewers carry both rainwater and foul sewage. The overflows prevent contaminated rainwater backing up and flooding people’s homes. Published river water quality data shows their impact on the water environment is minimal because of the significant dilution during rainfall. All overflows are licensed by the Environment Agency and rarely cause pollution.

Matt Wheeldon, Director of Asset Strategy and Compliance said: “We understand the concerns about storm overflows and agree they should have no place in a 21st century sewerage system. This major investment is the start of decisive action to tackle storm overflows, and our longer-term improvement plan sets out the further progress we will make over the coming years.

“We have 1,300 overflows across the Wessex Water region, so it will take time and significant resources to eliminate them. By committing to spend £3 million every month on overflows, starting with those that discharge most frequently and those that have any environmental impact, we will make a good start.”

Wessex Water’s Storm Overflows Improvement Plan has been shared with water industry regulator Ofwat and regional environmental groups.

NEWS CATEGORIES

LATEST NEWS

Severn Trent named as one of the Top 50 Best Places to work in the UK

Severn Trent has been named a winner of Glassdoor’s annual Employees’ Choice Awards, honouring the Best Places to Work 2025. The Glassdoor Employees’ Choice Awards...

Clancy awarded contract to deliver roll out of smart meters for Affinity Water 

Clancy has been appointed by Affinity Water as a delivery partner to support the water company’s roll out of smart meters across areas of...

Veolia UK re-signs Armed Forces Covenant, and retains Gold status in the Defence Employers Recognition Scheme

Veolia, has demonstrated its ongoing commitment to the Armed Forces by re-signing the Corporate Covenant. The recent signing ceremony, which took place at the...

5 million litres of fats, oil & grease saved from Anglian Water’s sewers

Anglian Water and Environmental Compliance and Services (ECAS) save East of England’s sewers from five million litres of fat helping to prevent flooding in...