SEWAGE was dumped in our waterways and seas 1,000 times a day last year.
The 370,000 incidents meant more than eight in ten rivers in England failed to meet the Government’s “good” target.
It was revealed on the day Environment Secretary George Eustice announced targets to force companies to curb the pollution.
His plan will add £5 a month to household bills.
He wants 75 per cent of storm overflows affecting Britain’s most important protected sites to be stopped by 2035.
Water companies must halt 40 per cent of discharges by 2040 and 80 per cent by 2050.
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They will have to map sewer networks, use sustainable drainage systems and show they are cleaning sewers.
New powers will be given to regulator Ofwat to fine those who do not comply — and there will be a ban on wet wipes.
Mr Eustice said the aim was that storm overflows are used only in exceptional circumstances.
But campaigners said plans were “way too little” and will take way too long to deal with the crisis.
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