Two of the biggest water companies in United Kingdom, United Utilities and Severn Trent Water are reported to be dumping sewage waste into rivers across the country. This is according to a report by the Observer who says this is in a breach of the permits given to the two companies.
What bothers much is that the two companies are rated highly in terms of their environmental performance. The two companies are reported to be responsible for 1,374 raw sewage spills from sewage treatment works in apparent breaches of permits over a two-year period in more than 80 watercourses. It is alleged the suspected illegal discharges were during dry weather or at times when the plants were not at operating capacity.
In response to the revelations, Emma Hardy, the water minister, said: “For too long, water companies have pumped record levels of sewage into our rivers, lakes and seas. This government will never let this happen again.”
Ashley Smith, founder of the campaign group Windrush Against Sewage Pollution (Wasp), which conducted the studies, said it was shocking the two firms had been given the top rating while apparently “permitting illegal discharges on a massive scale”.
He said: “These environmental performance assessments lie at the heart of the deceit that has allowed the privatised water industry to pay huge dividends and bonuses.
I concur with Ashley Smith , it is absurd for companies rated as of great character and of high environmental performance to be breaching rules and discharging waste in water streams.
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4 w
This is absurd... Shame on them
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6 w
It's about time people took the issue of pollution seriously and deal with it accordingly before it costs us all .
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4 w
@jane_wangui i agree... This is putting people's lives at risk
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6 w
This is wrong.our ecosystems need to be protected by all means possible for a better future.
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4 w
@rosebellendiritu yes we need to protect our ecosystem
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7 w
How can they get away with this
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4 w
@sarah_chabane_874 by punishing those responsible and making them pay
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7 w
Shameful!
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4 w
@stan_rebond absolutely
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7 w
This scandal further underscores the need for robust investment in modernizing water infrastructure and holding companies accountable to prevent future environmental harm
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7 w
Dear Joseph Githinji Your climate warning has received over 50 agrees! We have reached out to United Utilities by email and requested a response. I will keep you updated on any progress! To reach more people and increase the chance of a response, click the Share button above to share the review on your social accounts. For every new member that joins We Don't Have Time from your network, we will plant a tree and attribute it to you! /Adam, We Don't Have Time
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7 w
This underscores the urgent need for stricter oversight and accountability to safeguard water quality and protect ecosystems from industrial negligence.
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7 w
Addressing these issues will likely require a combination of regulatory reforms, stronger enforcement, and greater corporate responsibility to prevent future illegal spills.
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4 w
@rashid_kamau i second your sentiments... Its time for strong and harsher regulations and punishments for those found guilty
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7 w
this exposes do many people and animals to health issues
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4 w
@annett_michuki i know and it threatens their lives
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7 w
This is really not ok
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4 w
@Johannes_Luiga absolutely not ok