Government Environment Bill amendment to seek "progressive reduction" of harm from storm overflows

The government has published the motion it will move in tomorrow’s (Monday) Commons debate on the Environment Bill, to reduce sewage pollution in rivers from storm overflows, following a public outcry.

A new clause on the “Reduction of adverse impact of storm overflows” instructs sewerage undertakers wholly or mainly in England to “secure a progressive reduction in the adverse impact of discharges from the undertaker’s storm overflows”, defining ‘adverse impacts’ to include both on the environment and public health. It proposes the duty be enforceable by the secretary of state or regulator with authorisation is given by the secretary of state.