Why rising bills, sewage dumping and community action are colliding this winter
Helen Tandy, Founding Director
Sewage, Storms and a System That’s Failing Our Waters
January brought big storms and solid swell — the kind of wild winter conditions that should reconnect us with our rivers and seas. Instead, it brought yet another surge in sewage alerts, once again stopping people from safely enjoying the waters we love. 💩This isn’t bad luck. It’s the result of a system that continues to pollute, and shows no sign of slowing down. Yes still:
Water bills in England and Wales are set to rise by an average of 5.4% from April 2026, adding approximately £33 to the typical annual bill.
In 2024 alone, 4.7 million hours of sewage were dumped into UK waters. That’s millions of hours of environmental damage, lost wellbeing, and increased risk to public health. And despite public outrage, the data shows this is not improving.
Paying More for Pollution 🤬
Just one week after the Government announced its long-awaited Vision for Water, households were hit with yet another rise in water bills. People are being asked to pay more to prop up a debt-ridden system that continues to discharge sewage into rivers and seas.
Surfers Against Sewage have been clear: the Government’s plans lack the urgency, ambition and enforcement needed to protect our waters. If you want to understand why campaigners are so concerned, you can read their response to the Government’s announcement here: 👉 CLICK HERE
This isn’t just an environmental issue. Clean water underpins health, wellbeing, access to nature, and community life, especially for children and young people. When waters are polluted, it’s communities who pay the price.
Communities Fighting Back ✊
Despite the scale of the problem, there is hope, and it lives in communities taking action.
If you missed the screening of Rave On for the Avon during last year’s Chester Green Weekend, there’s another chance to watch it online. The film is a joyful, defiant documentary following a community fighting to protect the river they love — a powerful reminder of what collective action can achieve. 💙
🎬 Rave On for the Avon – Online Film Screening 👉 CLICK HERE
Alongside this, Surfers Against Sewage continue to challenge sewage pollution, expose plastic polluters, respond to key government consultations, and mobilise people across the country to demand clean water.
Turning Outrage into Action: 47 Miles This February 🌊
This February, people across the UK are being invited to run, walk or jog 47 miles to raise vital funds to power Surfers Against Sewage’s campaigning and protect the waters we love.
Why 47?
Because 4.7 million hours of sewage were dumped into UK waters in 2024.
Alongside Emily, fellow Eco Communities Director, I’ll be taking on this 47-mile challenge, not because it’s easy, but because standing still while our waters are polluted is no longer an option.
Every mile walked helps:
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Fund legal and policy challenges
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Support community action
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Push for real accountability and change
If you’re sick of sewage flowing, bills rising, and a government failing to act — you’re not alone. And there are ways to turn frustration into momentum.
💚 Join the challenge, support our fundraising, or share the message.
Because clean water is worth fighting — and walking — for.
