United Utilities, one of the UK’s largest water companies, is facing backlash as it attempts to prevent the public from accessing data on treated sewage being discharged into Windermere in the Lake District. The company initially argued that information from phosphorus monitors at sewage treatment plants at the lake was not considered environmental information. Later, it claimed that the phosphorus data, which can be harmful to water bodies in high concentrations, was classified as internal communication and therefore exempt from disclosure.
Additionally, United Utilities is also trying to prevent the release of data on ammonia levels from a plant at Cunsey Beck, where a pollution incident in 2022 resulted in the death of hundreds of fish due to an unknown source of contamination. Despite rulings from the freedom of information watchdog to disclose all relevant data to the public, the water company is fighting against it.
Matt Staniek, the founder of the Save Windermere campaign, criticized United Utilities for repeatedly obstructing public access to crucial environmental information regarding potential pollutants. He emphasized the importance of understanding the impact of sewage discharges on Windermere, which is England’s largest lake.
David Black, the chief executive of Ofwat, the water regulator, expressed his expectation for water companies to prioritize transparency and allow customers to access data collected through paid monitoring systems. The legal battle between United Utilities and advocacy groups comes amidst revelations from a report showing suspected illegal sewage spills in Windermere and its surrounding areas over a period of 500 days between 2018 and 2023.
Residents of Windermere have raised concerns about the deteriorating water quality in the lake, often plagued by blooms of toxic blue-green algae fueled by sewage pollution. Save Windermere’s request for data on phosphorus levels in treated effluent from the lake’s wastewater treatment works was denied by United Utilities, citing reasons such as the information being non-regulatory and collected for operational purposes.
The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) ruled in favor of disclosing the data, emphasizing the public interest in understanding the water quality implications. United Utilities is currently appealing the decisions to disclose information on ammonia levels and turbidity data at the Near Sawrey wastewater treatment works.
In response to criticism and regulatory actions, United Utilities has stated its commitment to enhancing transparency and improving accessibility to information. The company acknowledges the need to engage with ICO processes and address concerns raised by the public regarding environmental data disclosure.
As the legal battle continues, it is essential for water companies to prioritize environmental transparency and accountability to ensure the protection of water bodies like Windermere. The public’s right to access crucial information on sewage discharges and water quality monitoring is paramount in safeguarding the ecological integrity of England’s natural resources.
