United Utilities fined £1m after discharging raw sewage into Lancashire coast

In June 2023, United Utilities was fined nearly £1 million for illegally discharging raw sewage into the Lancashire coastline, significantly impacting water quality and bathing waters. The water company pleaded guilty to five environmental permit offences related to a pollution incident along the Fylde coast. Sewage was released from pumping stations at Manchester Square, Anchorsholme, and Chatsworth Avenue for over 35 hours, affecting coastal communities in Blackpool, Lytham St Annes, Fleetwood, and Cleveleys.

The Environment Agency issued "no bathing" advice for eight designated bathing waters along the affected coastline. United Utilities' modeling revealed that a sewage plume reached seven bathing waters, severely degrading water quality. The contamination significantly affected communities and businesses along the coast, with Blackpool experiencing a decline in summer visitor numbers.

Sewage was found on beaches and at marine recreational facilities, including Fleetwood baths, with tests detecting E. coli. Three shellfish beds were temporarily closed due to health concerns. The incident began after a final effluent pipe at Fleetwood wastewater treatment works partially collapsed, causing wastewater to back up through the network.

After heavy rainfall, sewage was discharged from the three pumping stations. United Utilities accepted the incident's classification as category one, the agency's most severe level. The Environment Agency's water regulation manager, Andy Brown, stated that the pollution incident had far-reaching consequences for residents and businesses.

United Utilities' director for wastewater services, Chris Borradaile, apologized for the incident and acknowledged falling short of the standards customers and communities expect.