Storm Overflows Discharge Reduction Plan.

The Storm Overflows Discharge Reduction Plan 2022 aims at reducing the impact of storm overflows to the public health and environment. Storm overflows operates as safety valves of the sewer system; they discharge excess sewage and rainwater to rivers, lakes, or the sea when the sewer system is under strain, protecting properties from flooding and preventing sewage backing up into streets and homes during heavy storm events.
The Plan establishes two specific and progressive targets: 1) By 2035, water companies will have improved all overflows discharging into or near every designated bathing water; and improved 75% of overflows discharging to high priority sites; 2) By 2050, no storm overflows will be permitted to operate outside of unusually heavy rainfall or to cause any adverse ecological harm.. Moreover, the Plan sets out our wider expectations for the water industry, to ensure their infrastructure keeps pace with increasing external pressures, such as urban growth and climate change. Water companies are expected to prioritise nature-based solutions, carbon reduction and biodiversity net gain in their planning.