Water firm drops fight for sewage data access

A water firm has dropped its appeal against an order to disclose data about sewage discharged into England's largest lake.

United Utilities had been told by the Information Commissioner Office (ICO) it needed to release environmental information requested by the Save Windermere campaign group.

The company had initially lodged an appeal against the decision, but it has now withdrawn it and said it was committed to being more transparent.

Matt Staniek, a founder of Save Windermere, said while the decision was good news, "it shouldn't have taken a campaign to force them to make a U-turn and to be more transparent".

An ICO spokesman said it welcomed United Utilities' decision not to pursue "unnecessary appeals".

They added: "We have been clear that greater transparency is needed across this sector."

In recent years water companies across the UK have come under fire for how they manage sewage spills into lakes, rivers and the sea.

Mr Staniek said United Utilities had now disclosed all requested data, which experts from the campaign were working through.

"It's absolutely fundamental for us to better understand and actually direct the management of Windermere towards the improvements that we have to see in the face of climate breakdown," he said.

He added withholding information had been "a massive hindrance" to the campaign's aim to push for an end to sewage pollution, and had meant United Utilities had avoided accountability.

United Utilities said it welcomed clarifications made by the ICO.

A spokesman said: "In our commitment to being more transparent, we are making information even more accessible."

They added the company had invested £75m to upgrade treatment works and pumping stations, with a further £200m of investment planned.

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