United Utilities fined £964,225 for raw sewage spill along Lancashire coast

Between June 11 and June 22 2023, a partial collapse of a final-effluent pipe at the Fleetwood Wastewater Treatment Works forced untreated sewage to back up through the network. After periods of rainfall, raw sewage was released from pumping stations at Manchester Square (Blackpool), Anchorsholme and Chatsworth Avenue (Fleetwood) for more than 35 hours. The discharge entered the Irish Sea, prompting the Environment Agency to issue “no-bathing” advice for all eight designated bathing waters along the Fylde coast. Company modelling showed the plume reached seven bathing waters, and sampling detected E. coli. Three shellfish beds were temporarily closed.

United Utilities fined nearly £1m after raw sewage polluted coast The Guardian

Preston Magistrates’ Court ordered United Utilities to pay £964,225 in fines and costs after the company pleaded guilty to five environmental-permit offences. United Utilities reported spending £38 million on the immediate response and repairs and £66 million on a permanent replacement pipe, totalling more than £100 million in post-incident investment. A two-kilometre temporary bypass was built, additional pumps installed, and tankers used to transport wastewater while the damaged pipe was repaired. The company also made a voluntary £250,000 payment to Blackpool Council and pledged community funding, including £1.5 million for a new paddling pool, £300,000 for Fleetwood Marine Lake improvements, and £50,000 for the Fleetwood Beach Wheelchair Charity.

United Utilities fined nearly £1m after raw sewage polluted coast The Guardian

The contamination affected Blackpool, Lytham St Annes, Fleetwood, Cleveleys and surrounding businesses during the peak summer season. The Environment Agency reported that visitor numbers in Blackpool fell by hundreds of thousands compared with the previous year, reflecting the economic damage to the coastal tourism economy.

The Guardian

Andy Brown, the Environment Agency’s water regulation manager, described the incident as “unacceptable” and highlighted the breach of permit conditions. United Utilities’ director for wastewater services, Chris Borradaile, reiterated the company’s apology, accepted responsibility, and said the focus has been on “putting things right.”

The Guardian

• “This was an unacceptable pollution incident which had far-reaching consequences for residents and businesses along the Fylde Coast.” — Andy Brown, the Environment Agency’s water regulation manager

United Utilities fined nearly £1m after raw sewage polluted coast

• “We want to reiterate our sincere and unreserved apologies for this incident and the harm and disruption it caused.” — Wheelchair Charity. Chris Borradaile, director for wastewater services at United Utilities

United Utilities fined nearly £1m after raw sewage polluted coast