All storm overflows now covered by Defra discharge reduction plan as coastal sites added

The cost of the Storm Overflow Discharge Reduction Plan increased last week from £56bn to £60bn between 2025 and 2050, as Defra formally added in requirements for water companies to tackle spills at coastal and estuary sites.

The plan now applies to every storm overflow in England, and as part of the changes, Marine Protected Areas and shellfish water protected areas were added to the "high" priority sites’ list, alongside Sites of Special Scientific Interest and bathing waters.