Sewage spills in England fell 35% as drought cut overflows

England's storm overflows spilled 291,492 times in 2025, a 35% drop from 2024, and total spill hours fell to about 1.9 million; officials say the reduction was mainly driven by an unusually dry year and that pollution targets are still unmet.

Storm overflows in England spilled sewage 291,492 times in 2025, a 35% fall from the previous year, and total spill duration fell to nearly 1.9 million hours. The Environment Agency and government statements say much of that reduction reflected unusually dry weather rather than major system improvements. The government retains a target to cut pollution by 50% by 2030. Campaign groups report dry‑day discharges and say wetter weather has driven more spills this year. Key facts: - England's storm overflows spilled 291,492 times in 2025 and recorded about 1.9 million total spill hours, down from roughly 3.6 million hours in 2024. - The Environment Agency said the 2025 reduction was largely due to drought, and it has reported that heavier rain this year is increasing spills again. - The campaign group Surfers Against Sewage reported water companies discharged sewage on dry days for over 187,241 hours in 2025, including 7,885 hours into designated bathing waters, and said it logged 20 sickness reports linked to confirmed dry‑day discharges. - The government has set a target to cut pollution by 50% by 2030, and industry representatives point to recent investment and capacity expansion as measures intended to reduce future spills. Summary: The decline in recorded spill events and hours in 2025 lowered measured pollution for that year, but authorities and campaigners say the fall was mainly weather‑driven and that wetter conditions have raised spill levels again. The government retains a 2030 pollution reduction target and industry cites planned investment to expand capacity, but longer‑term progress is undetermined at this time.