Sewage discharges to halve by 2030, minister pledges

The UK government has announced plans to halve the number of sewage discharges into waterways by 2030. This comes in response to a surge in the number of such discharges, which reached record levels in recent years. The plan is a part of broader efforts to improve the overall state of the water sector. The minister responsible has acknowledged the need for significant investment and better regulation to address the issue. Environmentalists have welcomed the commitment, but some have expressed skepticism about the feasibility of the target, given the scale of the challenge. Concerns have also been raised about the potential impact on household water bills, as the required infrastructure upgrades may lead to increased costs. The government has assured that it will work closely with water companies and other stakeholders to develop a comprehensive strategy to achieve the 50% reduction target by the end of the decade.