The Dirty Truth About UK Waters

Real-time sewage discharge alerts for the UK. Before you swim, paddle, or fish. Check if there's an active sewage discharge nearby. Sewage Spy gives you real-time data directly from water company monitoring systems.

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The Problem

UK waters are being polluted at an alarming rate

UK water companies are legally permitted to discharge untreated sewage into rivers, lakes, and coastal waters during heavy rainfall. However, the frequency and duration of these discharges has increased dramatically.

450,398

Sewage spills

Jan–Dec 2024

3.6 million

Hours of discharge

Jan–Dec 2024

14,254

Storm overflows in England

As of Dec 2024

32

Avg. spills per overflow

Jan–Dec 2024

Source: Environment Agency EDM Data 2024

Health Risks

Swimmers, kayakers, and anglers are at risk from waterborne diseases including E. coli, norovirus, and hepatitis.

Wildlife Harm

Untreated sewage depletes oxygen in waterways, killing fish and devastating aquatic ecosystems.

Beach Closures

Popular beaches and bathing spots are regularly closed due to unsafe pollution levels, ruining holidays and local tourism.

Features

Stay safe and informed

Real-time sewage monitoring across UK water companies.

Real-time Monitoring

Data from UK water companies, refreshed every 10 minutes.

Interactive Map

Color-coded discharge status - red for active, amber for recent.

Custom Alert Zones

Create up to 3 personalized notification areas that matter to you.

Push Notifications

Instant alerts for discharges in your zones.

Impact View

See the total hours of discharge and number of spills for each monitor.

Instant Sharing

Share discharge alerts with friends and family with a single tap.

Make a Difference

Take action to protect our waters

Knowledge is power. Now that you know, here's how you can help make a difference.

Report Pollution

Report sewage pollution incidents directly to the Environment Agency. Your reports help build the case for change.

Report an incident

Contact Your MP

Write to your local MP about sewage pollution in your area. Political pressure drives policy change.

Find your MP

Support Charities

Support environmental charities like The Rivers Trust, River Action UK, and The Wildlife Trusts.

Learn more

Spread the Word

Share discharge data with friends and family. Awareness is the first step toward accountability.

Get The App

See it in action

Track sewage discharges across the UK with our intuitive, real-time monitoring app.

Interactive Map

Nearby Monitors

Custom Alert Zones

Impact Paths