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<p>Last year, Government published the <a href="https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1101686/Storm_Overflows_Discharge_Reduction_Plan.pdf"
target="_blank">Storm Overflows Discharge Reduction Plan</a>, requiring water companies
to deliver their largest ever infrastructure investment - £56 billion capital investment
over 25 years.</p><p> </p><p>In February 2023, I asked water and sewerage companies
to set an action plan on every storm overflow in England. I have also announced water
companies will face higher penalties that are quicker and easier to enforce.</p><p>
</p><p>In Frome and Somerton, the Environment Agency (EA) are scrutinising Wessex
Water’s performance and asset management on a number of fronts, including:</p><ul><li>Working
with Wessex Water to implement event duration monitoring to understand how often and
for how long storm sewage overflows occur. This enables them to address their network
performance and reduce spills.</li><li>Continuing to take tough action where water
companies cause sewage pollution of our watercourses by incidents, whether through
failing assets or poor maintenance. The EA have a number of enforcement cases against
Wessex Water pending.</li></ul><p> </p><p>The EA also regulate private discharges
from small-scale sewage treatment works in this rural catchment. They have a monitoring
programme, and failures in discharge quality are subject to robust follow-up and,
if appropriate, formal action to ensure improvements are made.</p>
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