Watchdog's findings on illegal sewage dumping are welcomed in Northumberland

Singer and campaigner Feargal Sharkey along with Joe Morris in Wylam. Photo: Andrew Heptinstall Photography

placeholder image — Singer and campaigner Feargal Sharkey along with Joe Morris in Wylam. Photo: Andrew Heptinstall Photography

The environmental watchdog’s claim that the Government and the water regulator allegedly broke the law over sewage discharges has been welcomed in Northumberland.

The Office for Environmental Protection (OEP) alleged that by allowing sewage to be discharged outside of “exceptional circumstances”, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), the Environment Agency and Ofwat had broken the law.

Outlets known as combined sewer overflows are only allowed to be opened during unusually heavy rain in order to prevent raw sewage flooding homes and businesses.

The OEP say that there was a lack of guidance and enforcement for water companies on the release of sewage. Defra has said that the alleged breaches are the OEP’s view and that the findings had not been confirmed by the courts.

Hexham MP Joe Morris, who was joined by clean water champion Feargal Sharkey during the General Election campaign, said: “The previous government treated our waterways with contempt, and this new ruling just goes to show that. This is why we’re bringing forward the Water Special Measures Bill to begin the work of cleaning up our rivers and seas."

However, Cllr Nick Morphet, who leads the Green Party group on Northumberland County Council, added: “It is definitely good news that watchdog is cracking down on regulators – but it is a shame it has taken so long to do it. The OEP is three years old and could have done this a long time ago.

“The report is not telling us anything we didn’t know. We environmentalists have known for years that the water companies were getting away with illegal sewage discharges because the regulators aren’t doing their jobs.”

Responding to the report, a spokesman for Defra said: “We welcome the OEP’s acknowledgement that this government is rectifying the issues identified. We will carefully consider the OEP’s allegations of breaches before formally responding in due course.

A spokesperson for Ofwat added: “We are actively taking steps to remedy the issues the OEP has identified. We will continue to prioritise our enforcement investigation into all wastewater companies which started in 2021 to ensure that companies are meeting their environmental obligations.”