Lawyers highlight importance of legal action after data reveals at least 12,500 hours of sewage pumped into River Wye in 2024

Lawyers at law firm Leigh Day leading a claim on behalf of local residents over pollution in the river and the alleged contributors say the figures show the importance of the legal action to bring about change.

Some 4,225 sewage spill incidents from sites in England into the Wye took place across 2024 (using 12-24h count method), 1,282 of which were over the high-spill threshold (per the EDM Storm Overflow Annual Return guidance). Leigh Day's claim alleges that the spills have resulted in pollution contributing to the deterioration of the river.  
 
In February 2025, Welsh Water was added to the claim, which already included Avara Foods, Cargill Plc and Freemans of Newent as the primary defendants, alleging that industrial scale chicken production is responsible for the bulk of pollution in the Wye area.
 
The claim against Welsh Water relates to sewage spills by the water company, alleging that these have also contributed to pollution in the Wye, Lugg and Usk and impacted residents and businesses. Around 40 per cent of affected areas in the claim are in England.  
 
The claim argues that phosphorous in sewage being spilled into the rivers has led to higher nutrient levels, resulting in algal blooms which negatively affect the river and eco-system.
 
In total, some 3.61m hours' worth of sewage spills, a slight increase on 2023, occurred across the country, with Environment Secretary Steve Reed labelling the figures as a “disgrace” and a “stark reminder” of underinvestment.  
 
Leigh Day partner Oliver Holland, who is representing residents in the claim, said:

“These latest figures from the Environment Agency show that sewage spills across the country are not getting any better.  Sewage flowed into the River Wye for some 12,500 hours last year, which we allege to be one of the causes of pollution in the river. This pollution has not only damaged the eco-system of the river, but also disrupted local people and businesses who rely on it.
 
"The people we represent believe that the legal action they are bringing against Welsh Water will help force the company to clean up its act, and its rivers.”