Water firms face growing criticism over beach sewage

Sewage is being pumped on to British beaches in increasing numbers.

More than 20 beaches and swimming spots in England and Wales are under pollution warnings.

The industry didn't reduce sewage discharge and put shareholders ahead of customers.

The Labour Party and a leading campaigning party said that the ministers had not done enough.

There were warnings at more than 40 locations last week.

The water industry is in an "extraordinary state of chaos" due to decades of regulatory failure, underinvestment and profiteering, according to an environmental activist.

Water companies were expected to take urgent action or face fines, according to a government spokesman.

When the water company is close to full capacity, they are able to release sewage into rivers and streams.

This helps prevent sewage from backing up into streets and homes.

Sewage that is not treated is usually screened before being dumped.

The Environment Agency's prosecutions against water and sewage companies have resulted in fines of more than one hundred million dollars.

Southern Water was fined a record £90 million for deliberately dumping billions of litres of raw sewage into the sea.

The equivalent of $5 billion has been invested to upgrade water infrastructure since the industry was privatised, according to a spokesman for the Prime Minister.

Neil Cutts said water firms wouldn't listen to the group's calls for investment in water infrastructure.

According to Mr Cutts, they tend to hide because they are protected by the government and a number of governments.

People are being warned not to go to the beaches in the area because of the sewage discharges.

He pointed out that there was never a good time to make such a call, but that he had to because he wanted people to head to his coast during the holidays.

Sir Keir Starmer accused the government of not being tough enough on water companies and of cutting funding for the Environment Agency.

"I think there is a lot of anger about the sewage situation because we're seeing sewage pumped into our rivers and into our seas again." The government has not been tough enough on the water companies.

Water firms weren't monitoring sewage discharges along the coastline.

Many of the monitoring devices used by firms in the UK did not work at all, according to the data.

Water firms want to take action.

Water firms agree there is an urgent need for action and are investing more than 3 billion pounds to improve overflows as part of a national environmental programme between 2020 and 2025.

New investment should be met with action from the government and regulators in order to deliver a comprehensive national plan.