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<p>Emergency overflows are separate to storm overflows and only operate in urgent
circumstances such as electrical power failure and mechanical breakdown. The Environment
Agency (EA) will issue permits for emergency overflows only in circumstances where
the need to allow for emergency overflows to protect critical infrastructure, people
and the environment outweighs the risk of a potentially polluting discharge occurring.</p><p>All
permitted emergency overflows are required to be fitted with alarms which signal when
there is a problem with the pumping station. Water companies must notify the EA when
they detect a pumping station failure that is likely to cause pollution. When there
is a problem, the EA will investigate and take enforcement action where necessary.</p><p>The
EA require water companies to monitor emergency overflows associated with designated
shellfish waters as advised by Government. In 2022, emergency overflows in these locations
operated at an average rate of 1.5 times per overflow a year, while over 70% did not
operate. This monitoring is being extended to all emergency overflows.</p><p>The water
companies are currently planning for the next 5-year investment period 2025 to 2030.
As part of this planning the water companies are expected to ensure their maintenance
plans minimise the risk of failure of their assets and the impact, they may have on
the water environment.</p>
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