Investigation after three-week sewer overflow

An investigation has begun after data showed a water treatment works had been discharging untreated water into a stream for nearly three weeks.

The facility at Atwick, East Yorkshire, has been discharging untreated water into a nearby stream since 6 January, according to data from Yorkshire Water's live storm overflow map.

Yorkshire Water said "prolonged rainfall" was putting the system under pressure.

The Environment Agency said it was investigating and had instructed Yorkshire Water to provide "important information".

Writing on X, environmental campaigner Mark Barrow has been keeping count of the days since the discharge began.

"The area must be swamped in human waste," he said.

"Can you imagine the state this area will be in."

An Environment Agency spokesperson said: "We are investigating a report from a concerned member of the public regarding a combined sewer overflow in Atwick.

"Our team has instructed Yorkshire Water to provide important information and we will assess compliance with the company's permit once this is received."

Combined sewer overflows (CSO's) are designed to be a "safety valve" to prevent water backing-up into people's homes during heavy rainfall, according to the Environment Agency.

The CSO at the water treatment works at Atwick discharges into a network of small streams that eventually take water into the sea 3 miles (5km) north of the village.

Yorkshire Water's data suggests the Atwick facility has been continually discharging for nearly 500 hours since 6 January.

A Yorkshire Water spokesperson said: "Our wastewater treatment works at Atwick deals with high flows of surface water from a culvert in the village which, during periods of heavy or prolonged rainfall, can lead to greater flows that the treatment works can handle.

"As a result, and to protect properties nearby, discharges occur into the nearby watercourse.

"This can last for a number of days while the catchment drains down from heavy rainfall."

Water companies have faced criticism over the impact CSO's have on water quality in streams, rivers and the marine environment.

In total, there were 563,730 spills across England and Wales in 2024, according to figures from the Rivers Trust, which is an average of 1,544 a day. The figure is down slightly from 1,588 per day in 2023.

Industry body Water UK said water companies were investing £11.5 billion in England and Wales to reduce the impact of CSO's on the environment.

In its statement, Yorkshire Water said there were plans to improve the facilities in Atwick.

The spokesperson said: "We are in the process of planning investment in the area to build a new sewer system to separate wastewater from surface water.

"This will significantly reduce the flows of surface water and run off from fields entering the sewer network."

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