Stockport council has launched an official inquiry into water companies pumping sewage into rivers. It comes after official figures revealed that United Utilities (UU) spewed waste into the River Mersey a ‘staggering’ 977 times last year and was responsible for 13,373 hours of sewage discharges into borough waterways.
UU - responsible for water and wastewater services across the north west - says these 'overflows' help prevent flooding by acting as a ‘pressure relief valve to the sewerage network. They are regulated by the Environment Agency.
The firm adds that it invested £1.2bn on reducing the amount of waste it discharges into rivers up to 2020, and is pumping in an extra £230m before 2025. Councillor Lisa Smart, chair of the inquiry, fears the issue ‘risks ruining our treasured rivers forever’.
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