United Utilities Water Limited has been hit with fines and costs totalling £964,225 after pleading guilty to five environmental permit offences following a major pollution incident in Lancashire.
The fine was issued at Preston Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday, September 8. The serious environmental incident took place between June 11 and 22, 2023, when raw sewage was discharged into the Irish Sea along the Fylde Coast from three coastal pumping stations for more than 35 hours in total over several days.
Impact on beaches and bathing waters
The spill affected popular north west spots including Blackpool, Lytham and Fleetwood. Sewage was reported on beaches and in marine recreational facilities including Fleetwood baths, while United Utilities Water Limited’s own modelling showed a sewage plume had touched seven bathing waters and significantly impacted bathing water quality in the hours following the spills.
As a result, the Environment Agency had to issue “no bathing” advice across all eight designated bathing waters along the affected coastline, while sampling carried out during the incident by a trained citizen scientist was also indicative of the presence of E. coli. Three shellfish beds had to be temporarily closed by the Food Standards Agency (FSA) due to concerns for public health.
Environment Agency response
Andy Brown, Environment Agency’s Water Regulation Manager, said: “This was an unacceptable pollution incident which had far-reaching consequences for residents and businesses along the Fylde Coast.”
“Our investigation found that United Utilities Water Limited discharged sewage outside the conditions of its environmental permits. The company admitted those breaches, and today’s fine reflects the seriousness of the offences and the harm caused.”
Mr Brown continued: “Water companies have a fundamental responsibility to properly manage their assets and comply with the environmental permits designed to protect our rivers, seas and communities. When they fail to do so, we will hold them to account.”
He added: “We will continue to rigorously regulate the water industry, investigate breaches and take action against companies that fail to meet their environmental obligations.”
Remedial actions and voluntary payment
Following the incident, United Utilities constructed a 2km temporary bypass around the damaged pipe, installed additional pumping equipment and used tankers to transport wastewater to other treatment works. The damaged pipe was repaired and the Fleetwood site returned to full service.
The company also made a voluntary payment of £250K to Blackpool Council after images of the iconic tower were used alongside media reports of the incident.
