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To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether her department has made any assessment of the occurrences of sewage spills within the United Utilities water network in 2025 in (a) Stockport constituency (b) Greater Manchester and (c) the North-West.
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether her department has made any assessment of the occurrences of sewage spills within the United Utilities water network in 2025 in (a) Stockport constituency (b) Greater Manchester and (c) the North-West.
In the Northwest of England, 10,613 hours of sewage spills were recorded on dry days. The EA has identified the 50 sites in the region with the highest levels of dry day spilling. Four of these sites are in Greater Manchester. None are located within the Stockport constituency.
As you will know, Mr Speaker, Southport is a lovely seaside resort and one of the nicest places to visit in the whole of the country, so what recent discussions has the Minister had with United Utilities about reducing sewage discharges, which affect Southport and the wider north-west coast?
As you will know, Mr Speaker, Southport is a lovely seaside resort and one of the nicest places to visit in the whole of the country, so what recent discussions has the Minister had with United Utilities about reducing sewage discharges, which affect Southport and the wider north-west coast?
The Water Minister and I are working closely with water companies across the country, including United Utilities, to drive them to reform their operations and clean up rivers, lakes and seas. Our water White Paper will replace the one-size-fits-all approach with dedicated supervisory teams at every company. UU is investing £50 million to upgrade Southport’s waste water treatment by 2029 to reduce storm overflow spills and improve coastal water quality.
The Water Minister and I are working closely with water companies across the country, including United Utilities, to drive them to reform their operations and clean up rivers, lakes and seas. Our water White Paper will replace the one-size-fits-all approach with dedicated supervisory teams at every company. UU is investing £50 million to upgrade Southport’s waste water treatment by 2029 to reduce storm overflow spills and improve coastal water quality.
The Water Minister and I are working closely with water companies across the country, including United Utilities, to drive them to reform their operations and clean up rivers, lakes and seas. Our water White Paper will replace the one-size-fits-all approach with dedicated supervisory teams at every company. UU is investing £50 million to upgrade Southport’s waste water treatment by 2029 to reduce storm overflow spills and improve coastal water quality.
As you will know, Mr Speaker, Southport is a lovely seaside resort and one of the nicest places to visit in the whole of the country, so what recent discussions has the Minister had with United Utilities about reducing sewage discharges, which affect Southport and the wider north-west coast?
I stood on a promise to stop sewage polluting our waterways in Bolton, and under this Labour Government I am delighted that we are turning that pledge into action. Last year alone, 295 days-worth of sewage was dumped into Bolton’s waterways. That is nothing short of a disgrace. I welcome...
I stood on a promise to stop sewage polluting our waterways in Bolton, and under this Labour Government I am delighted that we are turning that pledge into action. Last year alone, 295 days-worth of sewage was dumped into Bolton’s waterways. That is nothing short of a disgrace. I welcome...
My hon. Friend is right to raise this issue. What has happened in our waterways in recent years—the pollution and the discharges—is absolutely shocking. I am so proud that one of the first acts of this Labour Government was to introduce the Water (Special Measures) Bill, which is now an...
My hon. Friend is right to raise this issue. What has happened in our waterways in recent years—the pollution and the discharges—is absolutely shocking. I am so proud that one of the first acts of this Labour Government was to introduce the Water (Special Measures) Bill, which is now an...
To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Hayman of Ullock on 28 October (HL1706), on what dates the three separate incidents self-reported by United Utilities (UU) mentioned in the question arose; and what assessment they have made of reporting by the BBC that UU failed to...
To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Hayman of Ullock on 28 October (HL1706), on what dates the three separate incidents self-reported by United Utilities (UU) mentioned in the question arose; and what assessment they have made of reporting by the BBC that UU failed to...
The Environment Agency received three self-reported pollution incidents from United Utilities relating to operations at Glebe Road Pumping Station, Windermere. These were reported on 26 January, 29 February and 21 May 2024.
The Environment Agency has launched an investigation into the sewage discharges at this Pumping Station and is examining further evidence received from the company. If United Utilities is found to be in breach of an environmental permit, the Environment Agency will take the appropriate enforcement action up to and including a criminal prosecution.
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the accounts that United Utilities failed to report sewage discharges into Lake Windermere between 2021 and 2023.
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the accounts that United Utilities failed to report sewage discharges into Lake Windermere between 2021 and 2023.
The Environment Agency (EA) is carrying out an investigation into United Utilities’ (UU) discharges into Lake Windermere.
The investigation concerns three separate incidents that were self-reported by UU. One of these incidents was a retrospective report of pollution.
Where a breach of a UU permit has occurred, the EA will take the appropriate enforcement action in accordance with its enforcement and sanctions policy.
To ask His Majesty's Government whether the Environment Agency is monitoring the untreated sewage being discharged into Esthwaite Water by United Utilities; if not, why; if so, how often United Utilities is discharging untreated sewage into Esthwaite Water; and why these discharges are permitted in a Site of Special Scientific...
To ask His Majesty's Government whether the Environment Agency is monitoring the untreated sewage being discharged into Esthwaite Water by United Utilities; if not, why; if so, how often United Utilities is discharging untreated sewage into Esthwaite Water; and why these discharges are permitted in a Site of Special Scientific...
It is important to highlight that no storm overflows currently discharge into Esthwaite Water, and the only source of sewage pollution is likely to come from Emergency overflows.
Emergency overflows are only permitted to operate in exceptional circumstances to prevent environmental damage or harm to the public, such as due to electrical power failure or mechanical failure.
The Environment Agency is ensuring there is monitoring on all emergency overflows from 2025. This includes at Esthwaite Lodge Pumping Station. The Environment Agency already require water companies to report any discharge of sewage in emergency overflows as pollution incidents. The Environment Agency has not had any reports from United Utilities of emergency overflow discharges from Esthwaite Lodge Pumping Station. The Environment Agency investigate any instances where permits are not being followed and will always take enforcement action if necessary. The permit for Esthwaite Lodge Pumping Station is in place to protect Esthwaite Water SSSI and that the emergency overflow provision is part of that permit.
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether he has had discussions with United Utilities on bill prices.
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether he has had discussions with United Utilities on bill prices.
The Secretary of State has regular meetings with stakeholders, including with water companies.
Government is working closely with both Ofwat and the Environment Agency to ensure all water companies, including United Utilities, can meet their targets for environmental improvements, without unduly impacting customers’ bills in the next price review cycle.
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what recent discussions he has had with United Utilities on the level of sewage released into the River Severn.
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what recent discussions he has had with United Utilities on the level of sewage released into the River Severn.
The Secretary of State has regular discussions with representatives of the water industry to discuss a range of issues, including reducing sewage discharges. This Government will continue to take bold action to tackle sewage pollution and hold all water companies, including United Utilities, to account for delivery.
The Government is clear that the volume of sewage being discharged into our waters is unacceptable. This is why we launched the Storm Overflows Discharge Reduction Plan, setting stringent targets to reduce discharges from storm overflows. This Plan will drive the largest infrastructure programme in water company history - £60 billion capital investment over 25 years.
The River Severn is not a catchment in which United Utilities operates.
That this House condemns the regular and large-scale dumping of sewage by United Utilities across the North West of England; notes that recent Freedom of Information requests show that since 2018 raw sewage has been pumped into the North West’s natural environment for a total of 2,219,418 hours; highlights that in 2021 United Utilities recorded the highest number of sewage spillages in English rivers of any water company; believes that United Utilities clearly needs to act to greatly reduce its level of sewage-dumping; is concerned by the suggestion by United Utilities that they will increase customers’ bills as part of a plan to reduce sewage-dumping; and calls on United Utilities to first look to raise any funds required to reduce sewage-dumping by cutting expenditures such as the more than £300 million paid as dividends to shareholders earlier this year.
That this House condemns the regular and large-scale dumping of sewage by United Utilities across the North West of England; notes that recent Freedom of Information requests show that since 2018 raw sewage has been pumped into the North West’s natural environment for a total of 2,219,418 hours; highlights that...
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether she has had recent discussions with United Utilities on preventing sewage discharge at Fleetwood Wastewater Treatment works.
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether she has had recent discussions with United Utilities on preventing sewage discharge at Fleetwood Wastewater Treatment works.
The Secretary of State and I frequently meet representatives from water companies and the wider water industry to discuss environmental performance. United Utilities are undertaking an urgent repair to a burst pipe at the Fleetwood Wastewater Treatment site. They are working with local teams, including the Environment Agency and local councils to minimise impacts. Defra is monitoring the situation and receiving regular updates on progress.
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if she will make an assessment of the adequacy of the transparency of the (a) finances and (b) corporate structures at United Utilities Group.
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if she will make an assessment of the adequacy of the transparency of the (a) finances and (b) corporate structures at United Utilities Group.
All water companies publish their annual reports on their websites. The publicly available reports include financial and governance information. United Utilities’ most recent annual report can be found here - United Utilities Group PLC - Year in Review 2022 (annualreport2022.com).
In addition to annual reports, all water companies publish an annual performance report (APR). The APRs are accessible to all stakeholders and set out how companies are delivering for their customers, environment and wider society.
Ofwat, the economic regulator, also assesses the financial resilience of water companies and publishes an annual Monitoring Financial Resilience Report, which sets out observations and actions to further improve the financial resilience of the sector. Ofwat’s report can be found here - MFR_2021-22.pdf (ofwat.gov.uk).
The water companies provide an essential public service to their communities, and so our Strategic Policy Statement sets out that we expect Ofwat to encourage and incentivise water companies to foster better corporate responsibility.
Building on their existing principles for board leadership, transparency and governance, Ofwat announced on 20 March 2023 new changes to company licences that will improve the performance and financial health of water companies and provide greater transparency with customers and stakeholders.
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if her Department will make an estimate of the amount invested in maintenance work by United Utilities in the water network in the North West in each of the last two financial years.
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if her Department will make an estimate of the amount invested in maintenance work by United Utilities in the water network in the North West in each of the last two financial years.
Our Strategic Policy Statement set out our expectation for water companies to have good asset management to support the resilience of their services.
Ofwat, the independent economic regulator, sets the investment, service and performance targets for water companies through the five yearly price review process.
The current price review period (2020-25) set out a £51 billion investment package for the 2020-2025 period, which includes funding for maintenance.
The Government does not assess companies’ expenditure for individual aspects of their work. However, Ofwat reports annually on water companies performance against key performance and expenditure metrics set during the price review, the most recent report was published in December 2022 - Water company performance report 2021-2022.
There are several performance commitments for water companies that provide an indication of asset health, including leakage, mains repair, unplanned outage, sewer collapse and supply interruption.
Companies are required to published annually progress on the commitments set during the price review, details on United Utilities’ Annual Performance Reports can be found here; United Utilities - Performance. Companies published their Annual Reports and Accounts, United Utilities are available on their website - United Utilities - Annual report and accounts.
I want to see clean water in the Ladybrook, the Micker brook and all the streams that feed into the great River Mersey. United Utilities is responsible for our waste water and sewage discharges. It is consulting on its plan to spend up to £18 billion on the water quality and discharges in our area. I am asking my Cheadle constituency to join that consultation. Will the Minister join me in encouraging everybody to play their part and make their voices heard?
I want to see clean water in the Ladybrook, the Micker brook and all the streams that feed into the great River Mersey. United Utilities is responsible for our waste water and sewage discharges. It is consulting on its plan to spend up to £18 billion on the water quality and discharges in our area. I am asking my Cheadle constituency to join that consultation. Will the Minister join me in encouraging everybody to play their part and make their voices heard?
My hon. Friend is absolutely right that addressing that long-standing issue will be a combined effort with everyone working together. It is really important that everyone engages in ensuring that we get the right solutions in every situation to address the problem and reduce the amount of sewage being discharged as quickly as possible.
My hon. Friend is absolutely right that addressing that long-standing issue will be a combined effort with everyone working together. It is really important that everyone engages in ensuring that we get the right solutions in every situation to address the problem and reduce the amount of sewage being discharged as quickly as possible.
My hon. Friend is absolutely right that addressing that long-standing issue will be a combined effort with everyone working together. It is really important that everyone engages in ensuring that we get the right solutions in every situation to address the problem and reduce the amount of sewage being discharged as quickly as possible.
I want to see clean water in the Ladybrook, the Micker brook and all the streams that feed into the great River Mersey. United Utilities is responsible for our waste water and sewage discharges. It is consulting on its plan to spend up to £18 billion on the water quality and discharges in our area. I am asking my Cheadle constituency to join that consultation. Will the Minister join me in encouraging everybody to play their part and make their voices heard?
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what recent discussions he has had with United Utilities on the control and eradication of Japanese knotweed on land owned by that company.
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what recent discussions he has had with United Utilities on the control and eradication of Japanese knotweed on land owned by that company.
The Secretary of State has not had any recent discussions with United Utilities about Japanese knotweed.
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what (a) estimate of the number and (b) assessment of the composition of discharges into (i) Liggard Brook and (ii) Main Drain by United Utilities has been made by the Environment Agency in each of the last five...
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what (a) estimate of the number and (b) assessment of the composition of discharges into (i) Liggard Brook and (ii) Main Drain by United Utilities has been made by the Environment Agency in each of the last five...
There are three United Utilities discharges into Liggard Brook and Main Drain (Ballam Road Pumping Station and Warton Pumping Station respectively) and Lytham Pumping Station at the confluence of the two.
The table below summarises (a) the number of spills from these locations. The figures during 2015 are high due to Storm Desmond. We do not currently hold data from 2016 which is held by United Utilities.
Discharge | FY 2013-14 | FY 2014-15 | FY 2015-16 | 1 Apr 2017 to 30 Sep 2017 | Calendar year 2018 |
Ballam Road PS | 0 | 1 | 51 | 1 | 11 |
Warton PS | 16 | 14 | 0 | 46 | 33 |
Lytham PS | 5 | 3 | 50 | 3 | 26 |
(b) Discharges are from the combined sewer system before it has been treated, so they are made up of sewage diluted by rainfall runoff from roads and roofs.
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps his Department has taken in the last three years to ensure that United Utilities have increased drainage capacity in Cumbria since Storm Desmond in 2015-16.
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps his Department has taken in the last three years to ensure that United Utilities have increased drainage capacity in Cumbria since Storm Desmond in 2015-16.
Following Storm Desmond, United Utilities reviewed the resilience of its assets in Cumbria, working with the Environment Agency and Cumbria County Council to produce section 19 reports (Flood and Water Management Act 2010) to investigate the flood incident.
United Utilities also completed a detailed Integrated Drainage Area Study in the Carlisle catchment. It analysed the entire drainage system and worked with stakeholders to produce a comprehensive plan which is now informing investment decisions and shaping how the company operates the drainage system to optimise its resilience.
In the current 2015-20 investment period, United Utilities is investing around £35million in major capital schemes on the sewer network in Cumbria, including £22million in the last two years on the county’s drainage systems.