Salford Liberal Democrats have slammed the Government and water companies for allowing the sewage crisis to spiral out of control, both locally and nationwide.
Last year, data from the Environment Agency shows that sewage was dumped for 1,163 hours in Salford’s waterways – including into the Manchester Ship Canal and River Irwell, which run through the heart of our community and are meant to be treasured natural assets.
Across England, water companies discharged raw sewage for 3.6 million hours in 2023 – the highest number since monitoring began. Locally, United Utilities – the company responsible for Salford’s water – was behind a staggering 656,014 hours of sewage discharges across its network last year, up from 425,491 hours in 2022.
Local Liberal Democrat councillor for Salford Quays, Cllr Paul Heilbron, said:
“This is a disgrace. Salford residents are rightly furious that raw sewage is still being pumped into our canals and rivers. The fact that it happened for over 1,000 hours last year in our city alone is appalling.”
“Both Conservative and Labour governments have failed to get a grip on this. Water companies are dumping sewage with impunity while pocketing massive profits.”
“The Liberal Democrats have a clear plan: we would scrap the toothless regulator OFWAT and replace it with a Clean Water Authority with real power – including the power to prosecute and strip water companies of their licences if they keep polluting our environment.”
“We owe it to future generations to protect our waterways. It’s time for action – not more excuses.”
