Water UK, the trade association for the water industry, said that companies would be prepared to invest up to £10 billion between 20. The Government has estimated that £56 billion is needed to meet its targets of sewer discharges between 20. Storm overflows are safety valves used to discharge excess water into rivers, lakes and the sea so that it doesn’t back up into the streets and people’s homes.Īs the rainwater travels through the pipes it can pick up raw sewage. The Lords have also questioned the financial investment offered by water companies to reduce storm overflow discharges. Rebecca Pow, an environment minister, said the Government is working on how to bring forward the consultation process “rapidly” but admitted there had been discontent from businesses to the proposal. Peers have called the delay “unnecessary and deeply damaging to the environment”. ![]() Wet wipes constitute around 90 per cent of the materials in “fatbergs”, huge mounds of congealed grease, effluent and household waste which clog up sewers and increase overflow into rivers.Ī 2021 consultation for a ban on single-use wet wipes received widespread public support with backing from 96 per cent of respondents.Ī second consultation, included in the Plan for Water, is scheduled to take place in the Autumn. The cross-party committee of Lords criticised Ms Coffey over delays in bringing forward a proposed ban on plastic wet wipes which are blocking sewers. The Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra) said they “firmly disagree” with the committee’s conclusions. “While the Government has begun to set out its vision for the sector, it is crucial that it shows a greater level of determined leadership going forward,” he added. Lord Clive Hollick, chairman of the industry and regulators committee, said there “appears to be a lack of leadership demonstrating deep-rooted complacency”. ![]() However, in an excoriating letter addressed to Ms Coffey, a House of Lords Committee claimed there is “insufficient policy or drive” to meet the Government’s targets of tackling the sewage crisis. Ms Coffey pledged to reinvest the fines into a Water Restoration Fund to support community-led projects. The Environment Secretary unveiled the Plan for Water in April which includes unlimited penalties for polluting companies and a proposed ban on plastic wet wipes. Therese Coffey has been accused of “deep-rooted” complacency by peers over her department’s flagship plans to clean up Britain’s sewage-infested waters.
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