Bolton water pollution cases not seen to 'immediately'

Findings revealed under the Freedom of Information Act showed that of the 93 water pollution incidents in Bolton between 2018 and 2023, just 19 were seen to straight away.

One of the 74 incidents not seen to by Environment Agency immediately, one was classed as a “category one incident”, the most serious kind.

Bolton West MP Phil Brickell said: “These stark statistics lay bare the dire legacy of the Tory government on protection of our rivers and waterways.

“Throughout the Tories time in office they underfunded the Environment Agency, did not provide them with any teeth to take the robust action needed and allowed water companies to continue paying ridiculous bonuses.

Mr Brickell says he wants to see regulators granted greater powers (Image: Office of Phil Brickell MP)

“The Labour Government is beginning to change things with measures outlined in the Kings Speech with The Water (Special Measures) Bill.

“This will put water companies responsible for pollution under tough special measures.

“The bosses of these companies will face personal criminal liability for persistent lawbreaking, and we will withhold bonuses if the company has broken the law.”

He added: “Water companies won’t be able to mark their own homework, we will require independent monitoring of all sewage outlets.

“Regulators will be able to bring robust charges against water companies and executives, including automatic and severe fines.”

The figures were revealed after the RADAR agency submitted a Freedom of Information request to the Environment Agency.

They show that staff from the organisation is attending fewer incidents immediately across England than they were before the pandemic.

“Immediately” means within two hours of a report coming in, or within four hours outside of a normal working day, according to the Environment Agency’s own definition.

As well as the “category one” incident that was not seen to immediately in Bolton, there were also two “category two” incidents within the same time frame.

Though not as serious, these are still classed as having a “significant impact.”

The rest were all “category three” incidents, which are deemed to have a “minor or minimal” impact on the environment.

ALSO READ: Dozens of water pollution incidents in Bolton since 2018

ALSO READ: Power 'back in people's hands' to clean up rivers after sewage dumping

ALSO READ: Surge in sewage spillages recorded in Bolton

There were 11 water pollution events registered in Bolton last year, four of which were linked to a water company.

The Environment Agency has said there are many reasons for not visiting pollution incidents straight away.

The agency said that some incidents can be handled remotely or instead through emergency services, adding some reports come through some time after an incident has taken place.

An Environment Agency spokesperson said: "We take our responsibility to protect the environment very seriously and will always pursue and prosecute companies that are deliberately obstructive or misleading.

"While criminal prosecutions can be lengthy processes, since 2015 we have concluded 63 prosecutions against water companies securing fines of over £151million."