UK fines United Utilities Water Company for illegally extracting 22 billion litres of water
UK fines United Utilities Water Company for illegally extracting 22 billion litres of water
London
In an astonishing find, a water company in Britain, United Utilities has illegally extracted 22 billion liters of water that is enough to fill 8,800 Olympic swimming pools.
The findings were revealed by the UK Environment Agency and according to which, the United Utilities flouted water abstraction licences.
The company had extracted the water from Lancashire Borehole Complex and it has led to significant reduction in water level at Fylde Aquifer.
The company was tried for the violations at Warrington Magistrates Court which imposed a fine of 8,00,000 pounds.
“The over abstraction caused additional stress on the environment during a period of very dry weather in 2018. This also led to a significant decline in the water level available in the Fylde Aquifer.
The aquifer, an underground water storage area, helps to support healthy river flows.
It is also an important public water source and will take years to recover,” a spokesperson of the UK government said.
Carol Holt, Environment Agency Area Director for Lancashire said their priority is to ensure clean and adequate water for people.
“We welcome today’s sentencing which exposes unacceptable practices from United Utilities over a prolonged period of time.”
“Our actions as regulators have led to today’s sentencing. We will continue to strive for a better water sector across the country to protect our precious water supplies now and for the future.”
UK Water Minister Rebecca Pow also called for holding companies that harm our environment accountable by the courts.
