Sow Brook PS
Storm overflow operated by United Utilities. The source names Sow Brook as the receiving water.
- 12
- Spills in 2025
- 158.9
- Recorded hours
- 99.9%
- Monitor operation
- 2
- Years listed
The reported spill count was 8 lower than in 2024. This compares event counts, not discharge volume.
Checking the latest monitor report…
How it compares in 2025
Sow Brook PS recorded 12 spills in 2025. That is more than 51% of the 14,239 overflows in England with a reported figure, and ranks 6,643rd nationally. Among United Utilities overflows it ranks 1,213th of 2,270; the median United Utilities overflow recorded 15 spills. On the Mersey (upstream of Manchester Ship Canal) waterbody it ranks 33rd of 51.
| Group | Rank by spills | Median spills | Median hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| This outlet | – | 12 | 158.9 |
| England | 6,643rd of 14,239 | 11 | 22.3 |
| United Utilities | 1,213th of 2,270 | 15 | 29.1 |
| Mersey (upstream of Manchester Ship Canal) | 33rd of 51 | 28 | 60 |
Rank 1 has the most spills. Equal counts share a rank. Only overflows with a reported count are ranked. Counts do not measure volume, so a higher rank does not mean more sewage.
Annual spill history
| Year | Spills | Duration | Monitor operation | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 12 | 158.9 hours | 99.9% | Official data |
| 2024 | 20 | 215.8 hours | 99.8% | Official data |
A missing figure means the source did not provide a usable value. A zero is shown as zero. Monitor operation below 90% can make comparison less reliable.
Outlet details
- Water company
- United Utilities
- Outlet type
- Storm discharge at a pumping station
- Permit
- 016982211
- Activity reference
- A1
- Grid reference
- SJ6823087820
- Waterbody ID
- GB112069061030Official waterbody record ↗
- Location source
- Official annual grid reference
- Location precision
- About 1 metres
- Location note
- Unknown
About the name and type
The annual return lists this asset as “Storm discharge at pumping station”: storm discharge at a pumping station. The overflow is at a pumping station that moves sewage through the network.
The waterbody link opens the Environment Agency record for the exact ID in the return. It is a source lookup; we do not import its classification.
Where it is
The recorded position is about 1 km north of the Lymm reference point in the ONS built-up areas data.
Area and water pages
Check the official record
Public access to this outlet is unknown. Do not enter restricted land or use this page as a route guide.
Open official source ↗Other outlet records nearby
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- Eagle Brow CSO (489KT)Current status unknown
United Utilities · Slitten Brook
- Rear of 68 Whitbarrow RoadCurrent status unknown
United Utilities · Tributary M/CHESTER Ship Canal
Questions about Sow Brook PS
- Who operates Sow Brook PS?
- United Utilities is the operator named in the annual record. The permit reference is 016982211.
- Where does Sow Brook PS discharge?
- The source names Sow Brook as the receiving water. This does not show how far a discharge travelled.
- How many times did Sow Brook PS spill in 2025?
- The 2025 return records 12 counted spill events and 158.9 hours of recorded discharge. Spills are counted with the 12/24-hour method, so this is not a count of every start signal.
- Can I trust the 2025 figures for this outlet?
- The monitor worked for 99.9% of the reporting period, so the annual figures cover most of the year. They still do not measure discharge volume.
- Is Sow Brook PS discharging right now?
- This record is linked to a company live feed. The panel above shows the latest report we hold, with its date. That report can be old, and the monitor can be offline, so check the date before relying on it. A report that no discharge is taking place is not a water-quality result.
- How accurate is the map marker?
- The marker comes from the grid reference in the official annual return, which is accurate to about 1 metres. It shows the recorded outlet position, not the extent of any discharge.
- What kind of outlet is Sow Brook PS?
- The annual return lists the asset type as “Storm discharge at pumping station”, which means storm discharge at a pumping station. The overflow is at a pumping station that moves sewage through the network.
- How does Sow Brook PS compare with other overflows?
- Sow Brook PS recorded 12 spills in 2025. That is more than 51% of the 14,239 overflows in England with a reported figure, and ranks 6,643rd nationally. Among United Utilities overflows it ranks 1,213th of 2,270; the median United Utilities overflow recorded 15 spills. On the Mersey (upstream of Manchester Ship Canal) waterbody it ranks 33rd of 51. Ranks compare counted spill events only. They do not compare volume or harm.
- Does zero spills mean the water was safe?
- No. A zero means the annual return recorded zero counted spill events for this outlet and year. It is not a water-quality test, and pollution can come from other sources.