In 2022 Anglian Water discharged storm overflow, including sewage, into the River Great Ouse in Ely for nearly 6 days.

Figures collated by The Rivers Trust show that Anglian Water discharged overflow into the Great Ouse 23 times in 2022 – almost twice a month – for a total of 136.5 hours. 

They also discharged overflow into several other waterways around East Cambridgeshire, for example, 8 discharges into Soham Lode. In total, there were 380 discharges by Anglian Water across East Cambridgeshire, lasting a total of 1,634 hours. On top of this, there are 11 storm overflow drains that are not monitored and so any discharges are not recorded.

Commenting on the figures, Charlotte Cane, Liberal Democrat Spokesperson for East Cambridgeshire, said: 

“Our Conservative MPs have voted time and again to allow water companies to get away with dumping their filthy sewage into our rivers, chalk streams, and catchwater drains. This makes our waterways unsafe for people and wildlife alike, but our MPs don’t seem to care.

“The Conservative government is failing to listen to communities who want to see action taken now to tackle this sewage scandal.”