South West Water hit with £7.8m fine for ‘horrendous’ pollution offences Water The Environment Agency has fined South West Water £7.8m over a string of pollution-related offences across Devon and Cornwall. The water company pleaded guilty to 24 environmental charges after the Environment Agency investigated incidents that took place between January 2015 and July 2021 in Bodmin, Harlyn, Polperro, Plymouth, and Playing Place. Of the charges, 17 [...]
As campaigners go after Nando’s, is the chain in mild, medium or hot water? Business The casual dining chain Nando’s came under pressure recently after one of its suppliers was accused of dumping waste into the River Wye. Celebrities including Chris Packham, Dame Joanna Lumley, and Dominic West signed an open letter from River Action UK demanding that the company meet with environmental charities to discuss its approach to sustainability. [...]
Thames Water reports surge in pollution incidents as debts swell Transport and infrastructure Thames Water saw a 40 per cent increase in pollution incidents in the first half of its financial year as its debts continued to spiral. The company reported 359 so-called category one to three pollution incidents in the six months to September 30, blaming an especially wet spring and summer. Debt levels were £15.8bn at [...]
Yorkshire Water hikes dividend despite pollution remaining ‘too high’ November 29, 2024 Yorkshire Water, which serves more than five million customers across the region, has hiked its dividend during the first half of its financial year despite pollution levels remaining “too high”. The provider paid out dividends totalling £37.5m in the six months to 30 September, 2024, up from the £17.7m during the same period in 2023. [...]
‘Super sewer’ boss hails opening of wastewater network October 14, 2024 London’s long awaited ‘super sewer’ opened today, marking a major milestone in efforts to protect the River Thames from sewage pollution. Designed to handle storm overflows, the Thames Tideway Tunnel opened its gates today, capturing 589,000 cubic metres of sewage within 24 hours during heavy rainfall in September. The 25km ‘super sewer’ has a total [...]
UK sporting bodies join forces to call for action over dirty waters April 30, 2024 Seven UK sporting bodies have joined forces to protect the waters they rely on and campaign for “healthy and nature-rich blue spaces.” The Angling Trust, British Rowing, British Triathlon, GB Outrigger, Paddle UK, Royal Yachting Association (RYA) and Swim England have formed the Clean Water Alliance in response to concerns over sewage pollution in rivers [...]
Waste firm fined almost £70K after cyanide leak kills hundreds of fish February 23, 2024 The company was penalised after an incident in 2018, during which a container was ruptured causing "hundreds of litres of a liquid" to escape