10 biggest raw sewage spills in Birmingham in 2022 & Severn Trent Water response

A total of 1,981 raw sewage spills were counted in Birmingham in 2021, the latest data has shown. These spills lasted for a combined duration of 4,627 hours and came from 186 storm overflows.

The figures come from conservation group The Rivers Trust, which has built an interactive map tracking sewage spills across England and Wales. It measures storm overflows – when sewage flows into rivers alongside stormwater during heavy rain.

One of the worst affected waterways in Birmingham is the River Rea flowing through the east of the city. In a section off Pershore Road, sewage spilt 66 times into the river for a total of 225 hours.

Further upstream near Digbeth High Street, a sewer spilt 49 times into the River Rea for a total of 36 hours.

Another badly-hit location in the city was Milton Street in Lozells where sewage spilt into Hockley Brook 101 times over the course of 2021, lasting for a combined 280 hours. Down the road at Hunters Vale, a storm overflow spilt 27 times for a total of 34 hours.

Ten of the biggest spill locations in 2021 were:

• Milton Street – 101 spills for 280 hours (Hockley Brook)
• Pershore Road – 66 spills for 225 hours (River Rea)
• Kitts Green Road – 64 spills for 114 hours (Yardley Brook)
• Trinity Road/Lodge Road – 70 spills for 92 hours (River Tame)
• Witton Road – 50 spills for 122 hours (River Rea)
• Wellington Road – 41 spills for 255 hours 9River Tame)
• Flaxley Road/Wyndhurst Road – 59 spills for 19 hours (River Cole)
• Digbeth High Street – 49 spills for 36 hours (River Rea)
• Macdonald Street – 34 spills for 37 hours (River Rea)
• Alum Rock Road – 24 spills for 27 hours (River Rea)

The sewage debate has been raging throughout 2022 after reports surfaced in the summer that water companies were greatly increasing the amount of raw sewage being dumped in UK rivers. The newest data shows the scale at which Birmingham’s rivers are being polluted.

Severn Trent Water manages the sewer systems in Birmingham along with South Staffs Water. The former was cited as the responsible body for all of the sewage spills recorded by The Rivers Trust in 2021.

Severn Trent says storm overflows are used only when absolutely necessary, usually to avoid flooding during and after stormy weather.

In response to the figures, a Severn Trent spokesman said: “Severn Trent is working hard to improve the quality of the region’s rivers and is currently ahead of sector targets.

“We’ve committed that our operations will not be the reason for any stretch of river in the whole Severn Trent region to be classified as unhealthy by 2030 – Severn Trent is currently responsible for 17% of reasons for rivers in our region not achieving good ecological status and we’re confident that by the end of this year, this will reduce to 15%, with the remaining 85% of reasons attributed to other sectors.

“We’re consistently recognised for our industry-leading performance and this year committed to reducing the use of storm overflows to an average of 20 per year by 2025 – we’re also continuing to invest £100m a year to go even further in improving our region’s rivers.”

The Rivers Trust is an organisation made up of conservation experts and member trusts that seek to protect the UK and Ireland’s rivers and waterways. Accompanying its spill map is the message: “Avoid entering the water immediately downstream of these overflows, especially after it has been raining.”

Residents who want to check whether their local area has been affected by storm overflows can view The River Trusts interactive spill map here.

Advice for residents who suspect they have found a sewage spill on the Birmingham City Council website is to contact Severn Trent Water or South Staffs Water directly.