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illuminem summarises for you the essential news of the day. Read the full piece on Sky News or enjoy below:
🗞️ Driving the news: New data reveals that sewage dumping in English rivers remains “disgraceful”, with only a 2.9% drop in spill events in 2024 compared to the previous year
• Despite efforts by water companies and regulatory pressure, the total duration of sewage spills actually increased slightly
• Environment Secretary Steve Reed and campaigners have condemned the ongoing pollution
🔭 The context: The Environment Agency has secured £10.2 billion from water companies for sewage reduction efforts, part of a broader £100 billion infrastructure plan
• However, critics argue that years of underinvestment and regulatory failure have left the system "still broken"
• The government’s new Water (Special Measures) Act allows for tougher penalties, including criminal charges and bonus bans
🌍 Why it matters for the planet: Continued sewage pollution threatens aquatic ecosystems, public health, and the integrity of sensitive habitats like England’s rare chalk streams
• Campaigners stress that such prolonged pollution undermines the UK’s environmental targets and water safety
• Clean water is a cornerstone of ecological resilience and biodiversity
⏭️ What's next: The Office for Environmental Protection is investigating whether the government’s clean-up plans breach environmental law
• Long-term reforms to water regulation and industry structure are being explored by an independent Water Commission
• Public pressure is mounting for a systemic overhaul of water management
💬 One quote: "That's equivalent to 412 continuous years of sewage polluting our rivers, lakes and seas." — James Wallace, CEO of River Action
📈 One stat: Over 3.6 million hours of sewage spills were recorded from nearly 450,000 discharges in 2024
See here detailed sustainability performance of companies like United Utilities and Pennon Group
Click for more news covering the latest on pollution
