AN annual war chest of £36million will help cut the amount of foul sewage discharged into Somerset's rivers during storms.

Wessex Water is investing the money to tackle storm overflows and reduce how often they operate in the county.

The company’s Storm Overflows Improvement Plan will see every overflow in the region monitored by 2023, while the number of hours storm overflows discharge will be reduced by 25 per cent.

New storm tanks will be built; nature-based solutions, such as wetlands and reed-beds in rural locations will be introduced; and work will be carried out to separate rainwater from the sewer system.

There will also be continuing investment in artificial intelligence monitoring at wild swimming sites to provide near real time information. A WebApp for Warleigh Weir, near Bath, is already being tested.

Capacity is being increased at the company’s two largest water recycling centres, serving Bristol and Bournemouth, to enable more storm water to be stored and treated, with work due to start early next year.

Storm overflows have always been part of the UK’s sewerage network because most sewers carry both rainwater and foul sewage.

The overflows prevent contaminated rainwater backing up and flooding people’s homes.

Published river water quality data shows their impact on the water environment is minimal because of the significant dilution during rainfall.

All overflows are licensed by the Environment Agency and rarely cause pollution.

Matt Wheeldon, director of asset strategy and compliance, said: “We understand the concerns about storm overflows and agree they should have no place in a 21st century sewerage system.

"This major investment is the start of decisive action to tackle storm overflows, and our longer term improvement plan sets out the further progress we will make over the coming years.

“We have 1,300 overflows across the Wessex Water region, so it will take time and significant resources to eliminate them.

"By committing to spend £3million every month on overflows, starting with those that discharge most frequently and those that have any environmental impact, we will make a good start.”

Wessex Water’s Storm Overflows Improvement Plan has been shared with water industry regulator Ofwat and regional environmental groups.

For more information on Wessex Water’s proposals visit wessexwater.co.uk/overflows