Severn Trent increased the amount of sewage it pumped into West Midlands rivers, new figures confirm. Latest figures from the Environment Agency revealed Severn Trent spilled sewage into the region's waterways for 440,446 hours in 2023, compared to 249,116 in 2022.

Severn Trent supplies water across the West Midlands and wider region, supplying more than 4.5 million homes and businesses in the Midlands. According to the Environment Agency there were 3.6 million hours of spills from water companies across the UK compared to 1.75 million hours in 2022.

Industry figures have highlighted that heavy rainfall can put huge pressure on the sewerage system. When BirminghamLive put the Environment Agency's findings to Severn Trent, the water company told us they are investing in the region to continue to do their bit to create healthier rivers.

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Severn Trent sewage spills in numbers

  • Number of hours of sewage spills from monitored storm overflows in 2023 was 440,446 hours compared to 249,116 in 2022

  • Average duration of sewage spills from monitored storm overflows in 2023 was 7.3 hours compared to 5.6 in 2022

  • Total sewage spills from monitored storm overflows was 60,253 in 2023 compared to 44,765 in 2022

  • Average number of spills per monitored storm overflow was 24.9 in 2023 compared to 18.4 in 2022

Following the publishing of the Environment Agency's findings, which analysed sewage dumping from all water companies, Liberal Democrat leader, Ed Davey, said the scandal of raw sewage pouring into waterways should be declared a national environmental emergency.

A Severn Trent spokesperson responded to the findings by highlighting the increased rainfall that Birmingham and the Black Country saw over 2022, and how they are investing in storm overflows.

Severn Trent response

A Severn Trent spokesperson said: "Our overall impact on rivers has reduced, as our investment in our region continues to do our bit to create healthier rivers.

"On storm overflows specifically, we’re investing £384m in 2024/25 and by 2030, and a further £1.1b investment will see spills reduced from overflows to the lowest in the industry. For Birmingham and the Black Country, here’s some specific info on the investment we’re making in your region."

  • In 2023, Birmingham and the Black Country experienced 35 percent more rain than in 2022, with the wettest period on record during Storm Babet
  • Severn Trent operations now currently account for 13 percent of the reasons why rivers in Birmingham and the Black Country aren't achieving good ecological status, with 87 percent attributable to other sectors
  • Recently announcement of £680 million investment on 411 storm overflows, improving river health in Birmingham and the Black Country

Results of Severn Trent's Get River Positive scheme:

  • Investing £14.3 million to upgrade Lower Gormal Sewage Treatment Works to achieve a higher level of treatment and improve the health of the Holbeche Brook.
  • A £6.5 investment to upgrade Coleshill Sewage Treatment Works to maintain a high level treatment and improve the health of the River Tame.