Mother's Heartbreak Fuels Campaign Against Sewage Dumping
Julie Maughan, whose daughter Heather died from E. coli after a day at the beach, hopes a new television drama will ensure her child is never forgotten and shed light on the scandal of water companies dumping sewage. The Channel 4 series, titled Dirty Business, aims to spark national action to make England's seas safe, drawing comparisons to the impactful Mr Bates vs the Post Office drama.
Tragic Holiday in Devon Leads to Unimaginable Loss
In 1999, Julie Maughan, her husband Mark Preen, and their two daughters were holidaying in Dawlish, Devon. Heather, aged eight, fell ill while playing on the beach. Just days before their trip, a nearby storm pipe had discharged into the sea. Julie is certain that Heather's death two weeks later resulted from contact with raw sewage, although South West Water denied any responsibility at the time.
A jury returned a verdict of misadventure, with the coroner recommending measures to control sewage discharge and dogs on beaches, though no clear cause for the infection was established. Heather had contracted a dangerous strain of E. coli 0157, leading to her life support being turned off in a heart-breaking scene depicted in the drama.
Drama Sparks Emotional Responses and Calls for Change
Actress Posy Sterling, who plays Julie in the series, became tearful discussing the role, emphasizing her desire for everyone to know Heather's story. "I want everyone to know who Heather is," she said, noting that Heather would now be older than her. Sterling expressed anger over dishonesty and profiteering by water companies, urging for change to prevent further lies and negligence.
The drama is based on the work of former detective Ash Smith and university professor Peter Hammond, who investigated pollution in their Oxfordshire hamlet after noticing brown water and dead fish in a river. Their decade-long efforts, combined with whistleblower testimonies and accounts from affected families, form the core of the series.
Water Companies Face Record Fines Amid Ongoing Scandals
This drama emerges as water companies face significant penalties for illegal sewage discharges. South West Water agreed to pay a £24 million penalty last year, while Thames, Yorkshire, and Northumbrian Water were fined a record £168 million collectively in 2024 for failures in preventing illegal discharges. Actor David Thewlis, who plays Ash, described the situation as "the biggest corporate scandal in British history" and called for stronger regulatory action.
Writer and director Joe Bullman hopes the series will galvanize public opinion, similar to how Mr Bates addressed the Horizon IT scandal. He criticized the privatization of water companies under Margaret Thatcher, arguing it has prioritized profits over environmental protection. "This needs to come under public ownership, no question," Bullman stated, advocating for systemic change.
Personal Connections Deepen the Impact of the Story
Jason Watkins, who plays Peter Hammond, shared his personal loss of a two-year-old daughter to sepsis in 2011, making the drama particularly poignant. He praised the ordinary people who refuse to ignore wrongdoing, highlighting the human cost of environmental damage. The series also features Asim Chaudry as whistleblower Mickey Lazarus, who partners with Ash and Peter to expose critical failures within water companies.
At a screening in London, emotions ran high as attendees reacted to the powerful narrative. Chaudry anticipates audience fury upon the show's airing, noting that a trailer has already garnered a million views and sparked intense public anger. He hailed Ash and Peter as "modern day revolutionaries" for their groundbreaking work.
Water Company Response and Ongoing Investigations
In response to the drama, a South West Water spokeswoman stated that bathing water at Dawlish Warren was tested during the initial investigations by Environmental Health, with samples showing no E. coli. However, the drama underscores persistent concerns over sewage pollution and corporate accountability. The series begins on Channel 4 on February 23 at 9 pm, aiming to fuel a national debate on water safety and environmental justice.
