Written Question·Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs·UIN 116620

Sewage: Waste Disposal

Tabled: 27 February 2026

Answered: 5 March 2026

Question

James McMurdock

Independent — South Basildon and East Thurrock

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what recent assessment she has made of the adequacy of enforcement powers available to the Environment Agency regarding sewage discharges by water companies.

Answer

Emma Hardy

The Government keeps the Environment Agency’s (EA) powers to address sewage discharges under regular review. We introduced the Water (Special Measures) Act to increase accountability, strengthen sanctions, and make pollution coverups a criminal offence. O...

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