RAW sewage is regularly being spewed into north Essex waterways, shocking data by an environmental charity has revealed.

Sewerage networks overflow at multiple locations across the region which The Rivers Trust says can pose a risk to public health.

Raw sewage was discharged into rivers, including the River Colne, for time accumulating to more than two months in 2020.

The damning figures reveal 1,619 hours of sewage was dumped in the town’s waterways last year, with the bridge on East Street being a particular hot spot.

Here, this sewer storm overflow spilled 143 times for a total of 54 hours in 2020.

Colchester Water Recycling Centre, in Haven Road, also saw 81 overspills discharging into the Colne Estuary.

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In August, Bures Sportsground Committee installed a warning sign by the River Stour after a series of people became ill after swimming in the water.

Residents began to vomit and fell ill with diarrhoea after enjoying a dip in the river.

It has now been revealed the sewage outflows are unmonitored at Bures, so swimmers still have no means of telling how much, or how recently, sewage has been dumped.

And, at Dedham, an area of outstanding natural beauty where visitors flock to swim, row, kayak and paddleboard, sewage was dumped for 1,034 hours.

Rosie Pearson, who is campaigning to protect the region’s waterways, submitted questions to the Water Quality in Rivers Parliamentary inquiry in January.

She said: “Having followed the Essex Garden Communities developments, I was completely shocked to see more houses are still continuing to be built without any improvements being made to the sewage network.

“It’s utterly shocking developers think they can blindly carry on.

“The figures show there is a massive problem already and to keep building without any resolution is appalling.

“The River Colne has protected habitats along its banks where the better quality of treated water should be discharged; what’s actually happening is the disgusting raw sewage is being quietly disposed of here instead.

“The councils simply cannot hide behind these facts. The water companies say they will deal with it but then don’t.

“MPs voted against making dumping like this illegal due to costs but if they can find billions to fund HS2 then they can find it to fix the sewage network - surely this is more important?

“The private water companies and developers need to be held accountable.

“They have got to make water and sewage a deal-breaker when it comes to planning.”

Colchester MP Will Quince said he shares the concerns of Colchester residents about the discharge of raw sewage from storm overflows.

He said: “With the Colne running through Colchester, it goes without saying I recognise the importance of clean and healthy rivers.

“But, in eliminating storm overflows, we are talking about transforming a system which has operated since the Victorian era, the preliminary cost of which is estimated to be anywhere up to £650 billion.

“While setting out aspirations is all well and good, what we really need to do is the long, detailed, practical work required to understand how we can deliver on our ambitions.”