89% increase in sewage dumps by Wessex Water last year

New figures released by the Environment Agency have shown that Wessex Water, which covers Somerset, discharged sewage a staggering 41,453 times last year, an 89% rise compared to 2022. 

Frome and East Somerset’s Liberal Democrats are calling for tougher action against sewage dumping in local rivers, including replacing Ofwat with a stricter regulator. The party has also called for a ban on bonuses for water company bosses whose firms have dumped sewage into waterways.

Conservative MPs have consistently voted against measures which would have helped to tackle the crisis.

According to the Environment Agency figures, in the Radstock area, sewage was spilt into Wellow Brook 118 times, totalling 1487 hours.

Anna Sabine, Liberal Democrat candidate for Frome and East Somerset, said:

“It is a complete scandal that filthy sewage is being pumped into Somerset’s rivers and waterways.

“Our community should not be forced to put up with this any longer yet time and again this Conservative government has voted against tougher action on sewage dumping.

"The Liberal Democrats have been leading the way in holding water companies to account and have called for tougher action to stop sewage being dumped in local rivers. We need to see a ban on bonuses for water company bosses whose firms have pumped filth into our waterways."