Rising water bills could help end sewage spills in Norfolk

Water bills are set to rise by an average of £28 (6pc) a year from April, which private water firms say will be invested in "most ambitious modernisation of sewers since the Victorian era".

Currently, combined sewage overflows release rain and wastewater - including sewage - into waterways when systems fill up during heavy rainfall.

It has led to a drop in water quality at three north Norfolk beaches - East Runton, Mundesley and Sea Palling - which have all lost their Blue Flag status.

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Water UK, the voice of the country's water network, has said £96bn is set to be invested in water and sewage infrastructure between 2025 and 2030 – almost doubling current levels of investment. 

£11bn will be invested in reducing sewage overflows, with the number of spills set to be reduced by 140,000 each year by the end of the decade.

This will prevent the equivalent of 6,800 Olympic swimming pools of spills each year. 

Steffan Aquarone, the Liberal Democrats' party prospective candidate for north Norfolk (Image: Steffan Aquarone)

Steffan Aquarone, the Liberal Democrats' party prospective candidate for north Norfolk, has called for an end to sewage spills at the region's beaches. 

"Appallingly, north Norfolk has already lost three Blue Flag beaches due to sewage in the sea," he said.

"We need action for our beaches, rivers and Broads urgently.

"It’s essential for our environment, our economy and our health."

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The investment from UK water companies is set to transform 350,000 miles of sewer – a length that would stretch 14 times around the world.

There will also be a National Overflows Plan which promises greater transparency from water companies – allowing them to be held to account for future overflows.