Most Sewage Spills in England May Be Illegal, New Research Suggests The revelation that most sewage spills in England may be illegal but gone unpunished is a stark reminder of the country's woefully inadequate water management system.
New research indicates that over 80% of sewage discharges into England's waterways could be considered unlawful under normal weather conditions.
Critics point to the Environment Agency's lax enforcement regime as a major factor in this problem. The agency has allowed water companies to spill raw sewage into rivers, lakes, and seas whenever it rains.