Guidance

Storm overflows: policy and guidance

Requirements and expectations for managing and regulating storm overflows.

• From: Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs
• Published: 24 March 2025

Applies to England

Documents

Storm overflows: policy and guidance

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This publication aims to support water and sewerage companies and regulators in carrying out their responsibilities related to storm overflows. 

It does not impose any new legal requirements. Instead, it: 

• reflects developments in storm overflows legislation and policy since the Urban Waste Water Treatment (England and Wales) Regulations 1994 
• clarifies how to apply measures identified in the storm overflows discharge reduction plan 

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) wants to ensure a clear planning framework, to support: 

•  the significant forward investment needed from water and sewerage companies 
•  a robust oversight and enforcement regime

Published 24 March 2025