United Utilities fined £964k for raw sewage discharge polluting Lancashire coast

United Utilities pleaded guilty to five environmental permit offences after a June 2023 raw sewage discharge polluted seven bathing waters along the Fylde coast, including Blackpool. The £964,225 fine is a notable enforcement action against a water company, reflecting regulatory pressure on sewage overflows. The incident underscores ongoing infrastructure and environmental compliance issues in the UK water sector.