Revealed: the ‘black box’ wastewater trade that rakes in millions for UK utility companies
Exclusive: Firms made more than £340m last year from processing industrial and commercial wastewater at sewage works that are unable to remove many chemical pollutants
TL;DR
- UK water companies earned over £340m last year from industrial and commercial wastewater, sending it to sewage works.
- Many sewage works lack the capability to remove industrial chemicals, leading to pollution in rivers and farmland.
- The trade-effluent consent system lacks independent oversight and a central register, creating a 'black box'.
- Pollutants that survive treatment are discharged into waterways or end up in sewage sludge spread on farmland.
- Companies are incentivized to accept toxic materials, and the current permit regime is considered outdated.
- Calls are being made for greater transparency, accountability for polluters, and government reform of the wastewater system.