Sewage is being dumped by water utilities even at times when the weather is sunny, a surfing lobby group has claimed.
Companies are allowed to use storm overflow pipes during periods of ‘exceptionally heavy rainfall’, but Surfers Against Sewage (SAS) alleges untreated sewage is being emptied around popular bathing areas during dry periods as well.
The charity identified 9,216 sewage pollution alerts at 450 popular bathing spots in the year to September out of which 145 took place when there was no rain.
Amy Slack, head of campaigns and policy at SAS, said it was potentially illegal activity by water companies and made a “mockery” of the categorisation system for designated bathing waters in the UK.
SAS uses electronic monitoring to detect sewage release, which means the problem is likely to have been underestimated as not all pipes can be checked in this way.
Sewage dumping in the sea and rivers by water companies has seen a surge in incidents and cases of related illnesses.
In March, regulator Ofwat said it was taking enforcement action against Thames Water, Anglian Water, Northumbrian Water, Wessex Water and Yorkshire Water over discharges.
The Environment Agency meanwhile released data showing that 10 water companies in England released raw sewage into waterways 1,000 times a day on average last year, led by FTSE 100-listed United Utilities Group PLC (LSE:UU.), with fellow blue-chips Severn Trent PLC (LSE:SVT) in third and South West Water, owned by Pennon Group PLC (LSE:PNN, OTC:PEGRY), in fourth.
This week, Severn Trant upped its dividend by 4.5% and said it would increase its efforts to improve sewage discharge.
In March, the company said it would spend about £100mln a year to reduce its use of storm overflows as part of various commitments.
Severn Trent spends around £254mln a year on its dividend.
North-west-based United Utilities paid out £198mln in dividends in its latest half-year and also raised its interim payout by 4.6%.
Shares in Severn Trent rose by 1.9% today to 2,846p and United Utilities by 2.3% to 1,076p.
Next Wednesday will be Pennon's turn.