Defra seeks expert views on improving water quality monitoring

Defra has invited experts to respond to a technical consultation by 23 May on improving wastewater monitoring.

It called for specialist views on requiring water companies to carry out continuous water quality monitoring, including by installing water quality monitors at all sewerage assets at which it is possible to do so. Defra also asked for comments on requiring water companies to publish data in near-real time, showing when and for how long storm overflow discharges occur.

The move follows the introduction of the 2021 Environment Act, which requires sewerage undertakers to:

• monitor sewerage assets and the impact they have on their local environment, and publish data from those monitors; and

• publish data from event duration monitors within an hour of operation.