New data has been published revealing how many times the sewer storm overflow has been discharged into the river Wye in 2021.

The data was released by The Rivers Trust, an organisation with the aim to stop pollution and build climate resilience.

The storm sewer overflow has spilled a total of 71 times for a total of 352 hours throughout 2021 at the outlet near Wye Street. At the Homs Road pumping station, the sewer storm overflow spilled 33 times, for a total of 110 hours. The Brampton Street overflow spilled 31 times for a total of 21 hours. Stations at Ashburton Trading Estate and nearby Tbc, had spills, but a much smaller frequency than others. Locations at Station Street, and Cawdor Arch had no spills in 2021.

However, a new cross-border working group of agencies, local authorities and other key parties has come together to develop the first five-year integrated plan to cut pollution in the Wye. The group was started by Hereford and South Herefordshire MP Jesse Norman, who convened a meeting last Thursday (July 7) in the Shell Store at the Skylon Park Enterprise Zone.

Also present were Sir Bill Wiggin MP, senior representatives from the Environment Agency, Natural England, Natural Resources Wales, OFWAT, Welsh Water, the Nutrient Management Board and the three local authorities of Herefordshire, Powys, and Monmouthshire.

Jesse Norman said: “Some very good work has been done to cut pollution in the Wye over the years, but I think this is the first time the agencies and local authorities across the border have all come together at a senior level with Welsh Water, in order to manage the problem in an integrated way. It is very early days in this initiative, but there were a lot of ideas under discussion at the conference, a real sense of urgency and a desire to work together. The key now is for the group to pull together a properly integrated five-year plan that builds on, extends and accelerates existing work.”