New figures show the discharge of raw sewage into rivers and coastal waters more than doubled last year to record levels.

Figures published by the Environment Agency on Wednesday showed 3.6 million hours of leaks occurred in 2023, compared with 1.8 million hours in the previous 12 months.

When sewers are flooded with sewage from rainwater, water companies release the waste into rivers and oceans, and when rainfall is particularly heavy, outlets called storm overflows act as pressure relief valves.

Storm overflows are only supposed to be activated during extreme weather, but for years they have been used routinely to discharge sewage even on days when it doesn’t rain.

The water industry is expected to blame a drought in 2022 – when drought was officially declared in parts of the country – followed by an unseasonably wet autumn and winter last year that led to record leaks.

The figures come as water companies face growing scrutiny of their practices, performance and profits, and as many of the country’s rivers and waterways are polluted.

Three companies – Thames Water, Wessex Water and Southern Water – In July last year, they were accused of breaking the law by discharging sewage on days when there was no rainfall last year.

Raw sewage will only be allowed to be pumped into waterways if businesses are responding to “unusually heavy rainfall.”

But a BBC investigation said the three water companies collectively discharged sewage in the form of dry overflows for about 3,500 hours throughout 2022, breaching their permits.

Dry spills are prohibited because they result in higher concentrations of sewage in waterways, creating environmental and health risks.

Without rainwater, sewage cannot be diluted, leading to problems such as the growth of algae, which can produce toxins that “can be fatal to pets and pose a health risk to swimmers,” said Dr. Linda May, an aquatic ecologist at the center. . U.K. the Center for Ecology and Hydrology told the broadcaster.

Industry body British Water has called for an investigation into the allegations.

The companies said dry spills are a complex issue with multiple definitions and calculation methods, and they are working with EA.

From 1 April, the average household water and sewerage bill in England and Wales will rise by 6%, taking this from around £27 to £473 a year.

wessex water and anglo water At the top end, average bills will increase to £548 and £529 respectively, while Northumberland customers will see their average bills start as low as £422.

British Water It said the company would invest a record £14.4 billion in exchange for customers’ money to ensure supply security and “significantly reduce” the amount of sewage flowing into rivers and seas.

The rise comes amid ongoing concerns from regulators over the dividends water companies pay to shareholders amid a cost-of-living crisis and public anger over sewage spills into waters.

Surfriders Against Sewage campaign group described the provisional figures as “truly shocking”.

Helen Wakeham, director of water at the EA, said the increase in wastewater discharges from businesses was “disappointing” but “sadly not surprising”.

“We are delighted to see record investment in the water sector, but we know this will take time to be reflected in leakage data – this is a complex issue that cannot be solved overnight.

“No other country has the level of monitoring we do and 100% of storm overflows in England now have monitors in place.

“We are better equipped than ever to hold water companies to account – thanks to the intelligence provided by our new reporting portal, our plans to expand our specialist workforce, new enforcement powers, increased water company inspections and the A new tool to provide information to law enforcement efforts.”

Lib Dem leader Sir Ed Davey urged the government to declare a national environmental emergency after the figures were released.

He said: “The Lib Dems have warned the Conservative government for years that the sewage scandal was damaging the country’s rivers and beaches and pushing ecosystems to the brink of collapse.

“Rishi Sunak and the Tories failed to listen and as a result, sewage leaks are increasing, our precious countryside is being damaged and swimmers are getting sick.

“It is time for the Conservative government to finally deal with this disgraceful situation and declare a national environmental emergency. This must include calling an emergency SAGE meeting to investigate the impact of the sewage leak on people’s health.

“Only by tackling the sewage scandal with urgency can we save our rivers and beaches for future generations to enjoy.”

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs has been contacted for comment.