Industry leaders anticipate future improvement, with Water UK predicting that larger storm tanks and expanded treatment capacity could halve spills over the next five years.

Investments include upgrades to storm overflows, with United Utilities upgrading over 400 facilities and Yorkshire Water about 100; there are nearly 15,000 overflows nationwide.

The Environment Agency notes ongoing need for sustained investment and began publishing dry-spill data this year, recording 14,700 dry spills in 2025 and signaling ongoing investigations.

Officials and ministers acknowledge reductions but insist the level of sewage entering waterways remains unacceptable, urging continued reforms, accountability, and enhanced regulator oversight.

England recorded 291,492 sewage spills from storm overflows in 2025, down 35% from 2024, with total spill duration falling to 1.87 million hours due to unusually dry conditions, though authorities warn pollution remains unacceptable.

Campaigners argue that spills still occur on dry days and condemn water companies for dumping sewage for thousands of hours, calling for systemic reform and tougher accountability.

Water industry officials credit drier weather and increased investment as factors reducing spills, with Water UK highlighting tripled investment and infrastructure upgrades.

Ofwat approved a potential rise in water bills in 2024 to fund a 104 billion-pound infrastructure upgrade program over the next five years.

Campaigners demand stricter enforcement and faster improvements, while industry representatives point to weather and investment as progress, with plans to further cut spills through infrastructure and regulatory changes.

England relies on a combined sewage system where rain and sewage share the network, with aging infrastructure, population growth, and climate-related rainfall patterns straining the system.

Surfers Against Sewage reports extensive sewage spills on dry days in 2025, totaling over 187,000 hours and affecting 105 bathing waters, with nearly 3,900 sewage alerts issued in early 2026, underscoring persistent water quality concerns.

Environment Agency notes improvements largely due to drier conditions, while Water UK cites investment growth as a driver of progress.