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100,000 kilometres of England’s sewer pipes were built before the mid-1960s and use an old-fashioned design that carries two kinds of waste: rainwater from street drains, and sewage from homes.

They are therefore known as ‘combined’ sewers. Combined sewers were built many decades before modern rates of population growth and climate change were understood, which means that there is often now more sewage and rainwater going into these systems than first envisaged.

Wide, shallow and crystal clear, chalk streams are rivers almost unique to England. They rise from springs, flow through chalk and their mineral-rich water is a haven for aquatic plants, insects and species including otters, kingfishers and water voles. 

For much of the past 100 years our rivers have been in a state of crisis. Until the 1990s sewage and other pollutants caused the numbers of invertebrates, fish and mammals to plummet. In recent decades water quality has greatly improved but the water industry and other sectors still face considerable challenges to ensure the health of our rivers meets the expectations of 21st century users.

FAQS about why Temporary Use Bans (hosepipe bans) are still in place, when the restrictions will be lifted, and what companies are doing to improve the situation.

Wet wipes are a leading cause of fatbergs and sewer blockages which have a major impact on the environment and contribute to pollution in our rivers and water courses.

Thousands of properties suffer sewer flooding every year in the UK, creating misery for homeowners and businesses, and leading to costly clean-up bills and increased insurance costs.