News · 23 July 2026
Most sewage spills in England may be illegal, analysis suggests
New analysis suggests the majority of sewage spills into England's waterways in the past 24 months could have been unlawful. Campaigner Professor Peter Hammond demonstrated that approximately 86% of spills occurred during "normal" weather, using a previously unrevealed "heavy rain" definition from court papers. Water companies and the Environment Agency have rejected the analysis but say they are working to reduce spills.
Reported by BBC · How we write briefs