Latest news with #NorthumbrianWater
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
Why has there been a surge in water pollution?
After years of protest, promised action, and bill increases, it would be reasonable to expect the sewage scandal to have improved. In fact, it's done the complete opposite: A 60% increase in pollution incidents between 2023 and 2024. Water firms admit they're not doing well enough, but point out, correctly, that 2024 was a wet year. Wet weather means a greater likelihood of sewage spills from pipes that carry both rainfall and sewage. Environment Agency data reveals that the excuse doesn't wash. Serious pollution incidents are up 30% since 2016. And this is the third consecutive year in which they've increased. Their latest report reaffirms what we already know: Persistent underinvestment and poor asset maintenance are why the sewage system can't cope. The share of the problem varies widely from company to company, with United Utilities and Northumbrian Water having the fewest pollution incidents. Then it's Southern, Anglian, and Thames Water, England's largest water firm, topping the pollution pop charts. There was some good-ish news. Transparency seems to be improving almost across the board, with more companies "self-reporting" pollution incidents than ever before. It's notable, however, that for the 11 most serious - Category 1 - pollution incidents in 2024, only four were reported by water companies themselves, the other seven by third parties. It's easy, of course, to blame the water companies. But the Independent Water Commission, due to report next week, is expected to call for a radical shake-up of the sector, including the possible dismantling of water regulator Ofwat. The buck, ultimately, rises higher than that before stopping. Read more:' Successive governments pressured Ofwat to keep bills low, yet denied it the power to limit water company financial engineering. The resulting lack of real engineering - of our sewers and water supplies - has left a problem for which there can now be no quick or cheap fix.
Sky News
5 days ago
- Climate
- Sky News
Why has there been a surge in water pollution?
Why you can trust Sky News After years of protest, promised action, and bill increases, it would be reasonable to expect the sewage scandal to have improved. In fact, it's done the complete opposite: A 60% increase in pollution incidents between 2023 and 2024. Water firms admit they're not doing well enough, but point out, correctly, that 2024 was a wet year. Wet weather means a greater likelihood of sewage spills from pipes that carry both rainfall and sewage. Environment Agency data reveals that the excuse doesn't wash. 1:56 Serious pollution incidents are up 30% since 2016. And this is the third consecutive year in which they've increased. Their latest report reaffirms what we already know: Persistent underinvestment and poor asset maintenance are why the sewage system can't cope. The share of the problem varies widely from company to company, with United Utilities and Northumbrian Water having the fewest pollution incidents. Then it's Southern, Anglian, and Thames Water, England's largest water firm, topping the pollution pop charts. There was some good-ish news. Transparency seems to be improving almost across the board, with more companies "self-reporting" pollution incidents than ever before. It's notable, however, that for the 11 most serious - Category 1 - pollution incidents in 2024, only four were reported by water companies themselves, the other seven by third parties. It's easy, of course, to blame the water companies. But the Independent Water Commission, due to report next week, is expected to call for a radical shake-up of the sector, including the possible dismantling of water regulator Ofwat. The buck, ultimately, rises higher than that before stopping. Successive governments pressured Ofwat to keep bills low, yet denied it the power to limit water company financial engineering. The resulting lack of real engineering - of our sewers and water supplies - has left a problem for which there can now be no quick or cheap fix.
BBC News
11-07-2025
- Climate
- BBC News
North East heatwave sees people flock outdoors
Temperatures are set to reach highs of 26C (78.8F) across the north-east of England this weekend, as the UK enters its third heatwave of the pollen and UV index levels are also expected across the Water has advised people to use water "wisely" after the driest spring across the North East since reservoir levels being below average for this time of year, Kieran Ingram, water director for Northumbrian Water, said there were no current plans to introduce a hosepipe ban. "We have no current plans to introduce a hosepipe ban, but with more warm weather predicted, we need customers to play their part by using water wisely, to keep the water flowing and our local environment healthy," Mr Ingram follows restrictions on water usage coming into force today in Yorkshire - the first hosepipe ban in the UK this year. Temperatures are expected to remain high throughout the weekend, with rain and thunderstorms forecast to arrive in the region on Met Office said there were on average 2,000 heat-related deaths every year in England. What are UV levels and how can you protect yourself?When is a heatwave 'really' a heatwave?How does sunscreen work and what does SPF mean? It said people should drink plenty of fluids and try to keep out of the sun between 11:00 BST and 15:00 BST when UV rays were at their also advised people to walk in the shade and apply sunscreen. Follow BBC North East on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram.
BBC News
25-06-2025
- Climate
- BBC News
Gateshead road flooded after water main bursts
Part of a road has been closed off after a water main Water said the pipe leak happened outside The Swan pub in Heworth in Gateshead firm said staff were at the scene within an hour and successfully isolated the leak.A section of The Drive, off Sunderland Road, was excavated and the street remains closed. A water company spokesperson said: "The water has all gone and we are supporting those impacted."We're sorry for the inconvenience this has caused and would like to thank residents and road users for their patience and understanding while we get things back to normal." Follow BBC Newcastle on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram.
Daily Mail
17-06-2025
- Business
- Daily Mail
Ban Chinese companies from investing in British water utilities, ministers urged
Ministers are being urged to block Chinese firms from investing in water utilities after they were banned from involvement with the Sizewell C nuclear plant. Environment Secretary Steve Reed has been warned that allowing companies based in China or Hong Kong to buy crucial utilities would be 'negligent'. Energy Secretary Ed Miliband last week banned Chinese investment in the Sizewell C nuclear plant amid growing concerns over the country's involvement in key UK infrastructure. And it followed demands from CKI, which is owned by Hong Kong billionaire Li-Ka-shing and already holds a majority stake in Northumbrian Water, to be allowed to bid for Thames Water. The struggling utility was plunged further into crisis earlier this month after American private equity giant KKR – the Government's preferred bidder – abandoned a £4bn rescue plan. KKR's U-turn – which sources said was due to concerns about the risk of political interference – fuelled fears that taxpayers could be forced to bail out Britain's biggest water company. Environment Secretary Steve Reed has been warned that allowing companies based in China or Hong Kong to buy crucial utilities would be 'negligent' Tory MP Nick Timothy said Chinese companies should not be allowed to invest in Thames Water. In a letter to Reed, seen by the Mail, Timothy said Miliband's decision was 'correct, given the threat posed by China to the UK and the wider west'. He said: 'It would be negligent to hand over yet more of our critical national infrastructure on top of China's already extensive footprint. 'In light of the Government's ban on Chinese investment in nuclear power, will you impose a similar ban on further Chinese investment in the water sector?' Companies in mainland China 'are under various obligations to the Chinese state, such as requirements to support, assist and cooperate with national intelligence efforts', he said. He argued that those based in Hong Kong 'also pose a serious risk, since they are now subject to authoritarian National Security Laws which have increased Beijing's reach into the territory'.
