Water company sewage pollution to halve by 2030, minister pledges

The number of times sewage is discharged by water companies will be halved by 2030, the environment secretary has pledged.

Steve Reed’s vow marks the first time ministers have set a clear target on the issue, following public outcry over the pollution incidents.

It comes after data published by the Environment Agency on Friday showed serious pollution incidents by water companies in England rose by 60% in 2024 to the highest number on record.

Reed said families had “watched their local rivers, coastlines and lakes suffer from record levels of pollution” – but the Conservatives said Labour had “done nothing to stop water bill rises” despite “big promises” to reform the system.

The pledge forms part of wider government plans to improve the water sector, ahead of a landmark Water…