Cost of ending sewage spills is raised to £60bn
The government has raised its estimate of the cost of ending sewage spills in England by 2050, although the increase is likely to have only a small impact on household bills.
A flagship “storm overflows discharge reduction plan” put the final cost at £56 billion before a new impact assessment lifted the figure to £60 billion.
The higher cost is a result of the government’s decision to extend the plan so that it encompasses spills into coastal waters and estuaries.
Officials estimate that the revised plan will add about £45 a year to the average water bill, which is £448 at present in England.
Under the previous plan the expected additional cost per household was £42 a year.
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The impact on bills is not expected to be felt until after 2025.
There were more than 300,000 sewage spills last year from storm overflows, which are designed to work as emergency relief valves during heavy rainfall but which watchdogs believe are being used routinely rather than under exceptional circumstances.
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“Water companies must clean up their act and our plan means no overflow will be left behind in our efforts to clean up our waterways,” Thérèse Coffey, the environment secretary, said.
A spokesperson for Water UK, the industry group, said: “We agree with government that a comprehensive effort is needed to meet the public’s legitimate expectations for our rivers and seas.
“Investment is key to achieving this, so water and sewerage companies are setting out the most ambitious programme of investment in the water sector’s history.”
The Times is demanding faster action to improve the country's waterways. Find out more about the Clean It Up campaign
