Alteknacker wrote:The pollution of water courses by both legal and illegal discharges by water companies affects all of us, especially those of us that love the countryside. We have the worst water quality in Europe, and many of us believe we shouldn't tolerate it.
If you are of this view, you might want to consider signing the (non-political) petition on the link below, which relates to discharges in the Lake District
https://uk.mail.yahoo.com/d/folders/1/messages/77848?.intl=uk&.lang=en-GB
Yes, I believe we shouldn't tolerate it too. Interesting that UK is one of the few countries in the developed world where water supply / treatment has been privatized. There's absolutely no excuse for these illegal discharges; they are criminal offences that should face the full force of the law.
Wasn't there a case recently where one of the big water companies - Southern Water I think - was successfully prosecuted by the Environment Agency? They were fined a record £90 million, I believe, for widespread pollution of rivers in Kent, Hampshire and Sussex - a total of 6971 unpermitted sewage discharges, which affected many businesses as well as having a devastating environmental impact. The judge - a Mr Justice Johnson (why does that sound like a contradiction in terms?) said that "It is necessary to sentence the company for the totality of the offences to which it has pleaded guilty. But even that does not reflect the defendant's criminality...because [of] it's previous persistent pollution of the environment over many years." And, importantly, he ruled that the fine was to be paid out of the company's profits, not by customers. Before this precedent, water companies probably thought they'd be able to pass on the costs of any fines to their customers!
As regards the petition, is there any way I can access it without having to sign up to Yahoo?