United Utilities has been fined nearly £1m after illegally discharging raw sewage along the Lancashire coastline and polluting seaside holiday locations including Blackpool.
The water company pleaded guilty to five environmental permit offences relating to a pollution incident along the Fylde coast in June 2023, and was ordered by Preston magistrates court on Tuesday to pay £964,225 in fines and costs.
Sewage was released from pumping stations at Manchester Square, Anchorsholme and Chatsworth Avenue for more than 35 hours over several days in June 2023, affecting coastal communities in Blackpool, Lytham St Annes, Fleetwood and Cleveleys.
Is there anyway to know if these companies are actively building more infrastructure to handle extra…shit? I’m guessing lack of investment has meant they’ve been unable to cope with extra demand and they’re having to release raw sewage into rivers and the sea?
Just a cost of doing business
