Severn Trent, a major water supplier serving over 4.5 million customers across the Midlands, parts of the south-west, and mid-Wales, discharged raw sewage into UK waterways more than 36,000 times last year. These figures, released by the GMB union using data from the House of Commons Library and the Environment Agency, reveal that untreated sewage was released for a staggering total of 200,361 hours throughout 2025.
In response to the alarming statistics, the GMB union has called for employees to be granted representation on a forthcoming “super regulator” body, which is set to replace the current water industry watchdog, Ofwat, alongside other regulatory organizations. The union argues that this change is essential to improving oversight and accountability within the sector.
Water campaigner and musician Feargal Sharkey voiced strong criticism of the industry’s privatization during the GMB’s annual congress in Blackpool. He condemned it for delivering “nothing but pain, sorrow and anger,” blaming corporate greed, profiteering, political failures, and regulatory shortcomings for ongoing water pollution.
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Severn Trent acknowledged the issue and outlined a series of improvements aimed at reducing sewage spills. The company is investing £160 million into upgrading the Minworth sewage treatment works, which serves as a critical part of their wastewater infrastructure. This investment includes nearly £18 million to expand storm tank capacity by approximately 25 percent to better manage increased rainfall.
According to a Severn Trent spokesperson, almost 20 percent of storm overflows are located within the city itself. Thanks to recent upgrades, ongoing investments, and favorable weather conditions, 26 percent of these overflows did not spill at all in 2025.
As water companies face heightened scrutiny, the push for stronger regulation and worker involvement highlights the growing demand for sustainable management of the UK’s water resources.