Closed petition Make it Law for Water Companies to Object When Sewage Systems Are Over Capacity

We urge the Government to legally require water companies to object to planning developments once the sewage system is over-capacity. This could stop new developments proceeding without confirmed infrastructure upgrades.

More details

Under the current law, water companies have a duty to connect to all new developments to the sewer system, including systems which may be over-capacity. This can lead to flooding, sewage overflows and environmental damage. Councils might not refuse applications on these grounds. We believe we need a legal safeguard to help stop unsustainable development and protect communities, infrastructure, and the environment from further harm.

This petition is closed All petitions run for 6 months

5,136 signatures

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10,000 signatures required to get a government response

  1. Independent Water Commission Final Report: debate in Parliament

    On 10 February, MPs debated the Independent Water Commission Final Report in Parliament.

    This was a Backbench Business debate led by Edward Morello MP. Minister for Water and Flooding Emma Hardy MP responded on behalf of the Government.

    Explainer

    Backbench Business debates give MPs an opportunity to debate a topic of their choice, and receive a response from the Government.

    They are a way to:

    • raise awareness of an issue
    • seek to influence government policy
    • put the views of backbench MPs, political parties, and the Government on record.

    They do not generally involve a vote on a particular action or decision.

    See our visual explainer on how debates in Westminster Hall work.

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