Blackpool Council's leader has sharply criticised the 'appalling' sewage problem affecting the Lancashire coastline, with a leading environmentalist calling for government intervention and potential fines if water companies fail to meet targets.
An ongoing 'no swim' advisory is in effect across eight Lancashire beaches since a sewage leak on Monday, June 13, after extreme storms dumped around 40mm of rain in two hours, overwhelming the Fleetwood wastewater treatment works.
The incident occurred as urgent repair work on a burst pipe at the wastewater treatment facility was underway, with this pipe typically carrying treated and cleaned water to the sea. This situation resulted in untreated sewage mixed with rainwater being released into the sea by United Utilities, leading to the no swim warning across Bispham, Blackpool Central, Blackpool North, Blackpool South, Cleveleys, Fleetwood, St Annes, and St Annes North beaches, Lancs Live reports.
