AI predicts what sewage could do to the River Severn

Utility Bidder's 2024 polluted water report outlines how sewage spills became significantly worse last year compared to the year before using data from the River's Trust.

Severn Trent Water was found to have the eighth biggest increase in the number sewage spills from 44,765 in 2022 to 60,253 in 2023, rising by 15,488.

Spills in Severn Trent regions were also found to have lasted almost two hours longer on average in 2023, with spills in 2023 last 7 hours and 18 minutes, compared to 5 hours and 34 minutes in 2022.

Severn Trent have dismissed this report as 'false information'.

Using AI, Utility Builders pictured what the River Severn and other prominent rivers around the country could look like if sewage spills continue at their current state.

(Image: Utility Bidder)

In their report, Utility Builder said: "At 220 miles, the River Severn is the longest in Great Britain.

"However, this leaves it open to widespread devastation from pollution and sewage."

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A spokesperson for Severn Trent said: "This report is based on selective misrepresentation of the data and the AI-generated image is fictional with no basis in reality.

"Severn Trent is investing significantly to improve river health along the Severn and misleading content such as this does nothing but spread false information and cause unnecessary concern among the public.

"While there's many factors that make up river health, we're reducing our impact on the River Severn quickly, as we're investing more and progressing faster than any other water company including £250 million of investment in Worcestershire alone on improving 134 storm overflows.

"By 2030, our operations will be responsible for two per cent of reasons for rivers not meeting good ecological status which is ahead of government targets and we're leading the way in the UK."

Neerja Upadhyay, Severn Trent's head of river health, said: "We know that clean rivers are at the forefront of customers' minds and we are working hard to deliver over 900 enhancements to improve performance in the Severn Trent patch.

Organisations are working to minimise the impact of sewage on Britain's waterways, such as the Environment Agency.

A spokesperson for the Environment Agency said: "We are addressing water pollution in the River Severn head on including holding water companies to account, increasing inspections and offering support to farmers in the area.

"Over the last year, we have improved 190km of waterways on the river by restoring meanders, tackling invasive species, regulating abstraction and managing the river for the benefit of the public, navigation and abstractors.

Between April 1, 2021, and March 1, 2024, the Environment Agency issued 226 improvement actions to farmers in the Severn Middle Shropshire, Severn Middle Worcestershire, Severn Uplands and Severn Vale management Catchments.

The spokesperson added: "We agree that more needs to be done and we continue to monitor water quality and work with local partners to identify where further action is needed."