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<p>The current sewerage system in England, including York, was designed by the Victorians
and operates using a combined sewer system, meaning that rainwater from drains and
sewage use the same pipes underground. At times of high rainfall the pipes reach capacity,
and to stop sewage escaping into homes and streets, the system was designed to discharge
to rivers or the sea via storm overflows.</p><p> </p><p>A growing population, an increase
in impermeable surfaces and effects of climate change have increased pressure on the
system, causing these sewage discharges to happen more frequently.</p><p> </p><p>In
September 2023 we published the Storm Overflow Discharge Reduction Plan (SODRP). This
plan will drive the largest infrastructure programme in water company history with
over £60 billion investment over the next 25 years specifically to reduce sewage discharges
from storm overflows.</p><p> </p><p>Furthermore, all water companies including Yorkshire
Water have published drainage and wastewater management plans. These plans set out
how water companies intend to maintain, improve and extend robust and resilient drainage
and wastewater systems over the next 25 years, and have enabled water companies to
publicly share how they plan to meet Defra’s SODRP.</p>
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