| answer text |
<p>The Government has not made an assessment of the impact on riverside SMEs of local
sewage pollution.</p><p>However, the Government has been clear that the water industry’s
levels of sewage discharges from storm overflows are unacceptable and has made tackling
this a priority. We are the first Government to take concerted action to tackle this
historic infrastructure issue, including through the Environment Act. The provisions
in the Environment Act place a duty on the water industry to achieve a progressive
reduction in the adverse impacts caused by storm overflows. These include adverse
impacts on public health.</p><p>The Government will publish a report before 1 September
2022 on the actions necessary, including the costs and benefits of the elimination
of storm overflows. The report will consider a range of benefits, including those
to business.</p>
|
 |
