Sewage dumped for hundreds of thousands of hours by Unitied Utilities

The Environment Agency released figures yesterday (March 27) that showed United Utilities released sewage for 656,014 hours last year - a 54 per cent increase from the previous year.

Nationally, there were 3.6million hours of sewage spills into our rivers and seas in 2023, a 105 per cent increase from the year before.

The scale of this made 2023 the worst year for storm water pollution.

It's become a significant talking point for Lib Dems, whose leader Ed Davey said it should be declared a national emergency.

He called on the central government to have an urgent meeting of the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE) to review the impact on people's health.

Brian Wernham, the Lib Dem candidate for Carlisle, said he is demanding 'stronger measures' against sewage dumping into the Eden and Esk Rivers.

Brian Wernham handing in a petition about water pollution to 10 Downing Street (Image: Supplied)

He said that a 'more robust regulator to replace Ofwat' is needed, adding that the Lib Dems suggested stopping bonus payments to executives of water companies 'responsible for dumping sewage'.

"The Liberal Democrats want serious measures to prevent sewage from being discharged into our rivers and lakes.

"This includes establishing a regulator with the authority to enforce stricter pollution controls.

"We're also advocating for an end to bonus payments for the executives of these polluting companies," he added.