THE government is facing a new legal challenge to force water companies to take urgent action against sewage discharge in rivers and coastal waters.

Good Law Project, along with environmental groups, launched the challenge against Environment Secretary Ranil Jayawardena today to compel him to rewrite the plan for storm overflows discharge reduction and impose tougher targets on water companies.

In England alone, there are around 14,500 storm overflows in operation to stop sewers from becoming overwhelmed, with companies using the measure more frequently.

The government’s current plan gives water companies until 2035 to improve storm overflows.

Good Law Project director Jo Maugham said: “We have all been watching with horror as water companies dump sewage in our rivers and along our beaches with very little accountability.

“This is one of the biggest scandals of our times, but the government has no plans to stop it anytime soon.

“This is not just incredibly dangerous; we believe it is also unlawful.”

The group warns the plan is in breach of Mr Jayawardena’s duty under the Environment Act, as well as a violation of the Human Rights Act and the ancient Public Trust Doctrine.