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United Utilities fined £964,225 over raw sewage discharge
The Environment Agency issued “no bathing” advice for eight designated bathing waters after sewage reached multiple coastal locations in June 2023.
United Utilities has been ordered to pay £964,225 in fines and costs after it pleaded guilty to five environmental permit offences tied to a June 2023 sewage pollution incident along the Fylde coast, the Guardian Business reports.
According to the Environment Agency, a sewage plume reached seven designated bathing waters and significantly affected water quality, prompting “no bathing” advice for all eight affected bathing waters along the coastline, including seaside holiday locations such as Blackpool.
The company said sewage was released from pumping stations at Manchester Square, Anchorsholme and Chatsworth Avenue for more than 35 hours over several days. Tests indicated the presence of E coli, and three shellfish beds were temporarily closed over public health concerns.
The incident began after a partial collapse of a final effluent pipe at the Fleetwood wastewater treatment works reduced the amount of sewage the site could receive, leading to backups in the network and discharges after rainfall. The Environment Agency said permit conditions were not met and categorized the incident as category one, its most serious level.