The Environment Act became law in November 2021 and acts as the UK’s new framework of Environmental protection. The legislation aims to improve air and water quality, tackle waste, increase recycling, halt species decline, and improve our natural environment.
Under Part 5, Section 82 of the act, it states that Water Utilities are required to continuously monitor water quality upstream and downstream of all storm overflow and sewage disposal works where the storm overflow or works discharge into a water course.
The act requires water quality monitoring for the following parameters:
- Dissolved oxygen
- Temperature and PH values
- Turbidity
- Ammonia
- Any else specified in regulations made by the Secretary of State
With 20,000+ storm overflows (also referred to in the media as combined sewer overflows or CSOs), plus over 7,000 sewage treatment works in England & Wales, this Act creates a significant challenge to the industry in terms of installation, monitoring and continuous maintenance. The aim of this Act is to reduce the number of sewage-related spills in rivers, lakes, and coastal areas, and to improve overall water quality in river catchments.
How does this affect Water Utilities?
By 2035, water companies will have to improve and reduce all storm overflows discharging into or near every designated bathing water, and improve and reduce 75% of overflows discharging to high-priority nature sites.
By 2050, this will apply to all remaining storm overflows covered by Government DEFRA’S targets, regardless of their location.
