Southern Water and Wessex Water accused of incorrectly discharging sewage hundreds of times when it was not raining, putting them in breach of permits

TWO local water firms have been accused of discharging sewage hundreds of times when it was not raining – breaching their permits.

Both Southern Water and Wessex Water, which have customers across the New Forest and Christchurch, are accused of dry spilling, a practice banned because it can lead to higher concentrations of sewage in waterways.

Releasing sewage into rivers and seas is allowed in the UK to prevent pipe systems becoming overwhelmed, but it has to have been raining.

According to a BBC investigation, the companies – along with Thames Water – appear to have collectively released sewage in dry spills for 3,500 hours in 2022, which puts them in breach of their permits.

Some of these spills are alleged to have occurred on 19th July 2022, which was the hottest day on record and saw many people cool off in rivers.

When approached by the A&T, Southern Water said it was incorrect to say the incidents were illegal as there are large amounts of private sewer pipes on its patch which are affected by ground water forcing its way in, which was out of its control.

Wastewater director John Penicud told the A&T dry spills were “a complex issue”.

He said: “Water is a powerful force of nature, and high groundwater conditions can lead to rising water finding the path of least resistance into a network of sewer pipes – ours and private – and manholes, and a discharge made up of groundwater is not caused by rainfall and can happen in dry weather. It is required to be reported as a ‘spill’.

“The problem is especially challenging in areas prone to flooding, as mitigation measures such as sewer relining and manhole sealing redirect flows and groundwater can then cause flooding. Private, illegal connections to the system are another potential source.

“We work with the Environment Agency and stakeholders to cut these so-called ‘dry spills’ and all forms of water and wastewater releases.”

Charles Watson, the New Forest-based founder of River Action – one of the country’s leading river protection organisations – told the A&T: “We welcome the investigation, as campaigners like us have been saying this for years.

“What I would like to know is why the Environment Agency and Ofwat aren’t doing anything about it.

“The regulatory people who should be protecting the amazing biodiversity of the New Forest and the people who live there from harm from sewage have been missing in action.”

He added: “We know in the past there have been huge discharges from wastewater plants at Lyndhurst and Brockenhurst, but as there is no breakdown in the figures [of the investigation] we cannot be sure if these were dry spills.”

The A&T has approached Wessex Water for comment.