Lords in Parliament's upper chamber got the chance to debate its sewage bill amendment following its path from the Commons today. The amendment, made by the Duke of Wellington, would have compelled companies to make sewage discharges. The Commons had already sent it back last week, but now will have to vote again following a majority vote in the upper chamber.

       The House of Lords vote passed 213 "content" votes to 60 "not content", giving the contents a majority of 153.

       Lords have asked the House of Commons to reconsider the amendment that would ask companies to "take all reasonable steps" to prevent sewage outflow into UK watercourses.

       In effect, it would pin a legal duty on companies to "secure a progressive reduction in the adverse impacts of discharges from storm overflows".

       READ MORE: Seething farmer erupts over inconsistent fine threat amid sewage anger

       The bill now goes back to the House of Commons, where the Government will table its own amendment.

       The vote was split almost entirely down party lines.

       A total of 59 Conservative Lords voted to allow the bill to pass through Parliament without the sewage amendment attached.

       Only one unaffiliated member - Baroness Kate Hoey, a former Labour MP - voted "not content" with them.

       Last week's Commons vote saw Conservatives whipped to vote against the amendment, and the Government has since made a U-turn.

       The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) said it would ensure the bill would be "further strengthened".

       The department added it would put into place a "duty enshrined in law" to make certain they would "secure a progressive reduction in the adverse impacts of discharges from storm overflows".

       The announcement reflects the primary contents of the Duke of Wellington's proposals.