"Only 22 Conservatives rebelled against the Government by voting for an opposition amendment to the Environment Bill, which would have forced a legal duty upon water companies not to pump sewage into waters.

...

'Initial assessments suggest that total elimination of discharges from storm overflows would cost anywhere between £150 billion and £650 billion.

This process could involve the complete separation of sewerage systems, leading to potentially significant disruption for homes, businesses and infrastructure across the country.'"

https://www.maldonandburnhamstandard.co.uk/news/19688229.joh...