United Utilities fined £1m after discharging raw sewage into Lancashire coast

Sewage plume reached seven bathing waters and significantly affected water quality in June 2023 United Utilities has been fined nearly £1m after illegally discharging raw sewage into the Lancashire coastline and polluting seaside holiday locations including Blackpool. The water company pleaded guilty to five environmental permit offences relating to a pollution incident along the Fylde coast in June 2023, and was ordered by Preston magistrates court on Tuesday to pay £964,225 in fines and costs.