In March the industry body WaterUK published a storm overflow action plan dashboard at the request of the Government to improve water companies’ transparency. Laura said:
"Following the publication of the dashboard, I have written to Thames Water and WaterUK for clarification on the location of the 12 storm overflows with spill improvement plans in West Berkshire, and which of these are receiving nature-based solutions and what this will involve.
In the screenshot of the dashboard, you can see that the chart for this action plan indicates there will be a 73% reduction in the number of spills in our area by 2030. In Thames Water’s own Drainage and Wastewater Management Plan they have also committed to reducing the total annual duration of discharges by 80% in particularly sensitive catchments by 2030.
I am urging them to go further and faster when it comes to investment in storm overflows, and in my letter I have asked what work they will be undertaking at the 12 storm drains to bring about these reductions. I have also asked how will the public know that the work has been undertaken effectively and that each storm overflow is now meeting the requisite level of performance.
You can view the interactive dashboard here: https://www.water.org.uk/overflows-plan."