Pollution from Waste Water

Every day we generate wastewater - from toilets, sinks, showers, kitchen appliances and vehicle washing. Industry also adds significantly to this wastewater load. Across most of the UK, this wastewater is combined with rainwater that runs off roofs and roads and the mixture is then transported to sewage treatment works where it is processed before being released back into the environment.

Storm Overflows and Sewage Pollution

On the way to treatment works, the sewer network uses storm overflows as emergency release valves during heavy rainfall. These discharge sewage mixed with rainwater into rivers to prevent flooding in homes. While this system worked in the past, it is no longer acceptable. Under the new Environment Act, water companies now face strict targets to cut overflow discharges. View the storm overflow map here.

What Not to Flush

Anything you flush may end up in rivers. Only flush the three P’s - pee, poo, and paper. Use a bathroom bin for everything else and avoid rinsing fats, oils, or grease down sinks. These cause fatbergs that block sewers and worsen pollution.

Why Wastewater Treatment Matters

Wastewater must be treated before release, or it can harm wildlife and contaminate drinking water. Prevention is easier and cheaper than removing pollutants once they reach rivers. Even treated sewage contains high nutrient levels, triggering algal blooms that reduce oxygen and damage aquatic life. Metals and other untreated chemicals can also be toxic.

Rising Pressures on Treatment Works

Wastewater treatment plants are under growing strain from population growth, flooding and droughts. In our catchments, sewage discharges and industrial effluent account for 18% of poor river status in the Swale, Ure, Nidd and Upper Ouse, and 13% in the Wharfe and Lower Ouse. 

Stop and Think ...... Not Down the Sink

Bin it, don't flush it

Only flush the three Ps (pee, poo and paper) down your toilet and don’t rinse fats, oils or grease down the kitchen sink. Put a bin in your bathroom for unflushable items like cotton buds. Never flush wet wipes, even biodegradable ones as they will not degrade in the hour it takes to reach the sewage treatment works and will contribute to fatbergs and blockages. Use kitchen roll or a fat scraper to wipe the fat, grease and oil from pans before washing them up.

Check your Connections

Your bath, sink, toilet, dishwasher and washing machine should be connected to the foul water drain, not a surface water drain which will take this dirty water straight to the river. It is your responsibility to correct any misconnections. Find out more here.

Shop Smart

Consider using ecological laundry detergent and washing up liquids. These have low phosphate content reducing the amount of damaging nutrients reaching the river.

Garden Wise

Use fertilisers and pesticides carefully as they are very damaging to aquatic life, and dispose of garden waste responsibly (e.g. compost it or take to a household recycling centre).