Gilly c

@Feargal_Sharkey @christopherdoc1 @MattStaniek @ChrisGPackham @GreenJennyJones @timfarron @herdyshepherd1 @SteveBackshall @RichardHammond @HugoSAS @JonathanPieNews I was thinking of the permit to discharge treated effluent- that is discharged every day? As set by the EA and perfectly legal not overflow discharges. The narrative portrayed in Windermere for eg is that everything is illegal which is just not true

Would that be the same permit that the European Court of Justice ruled was illegal in 2012 and is it possibly the same permit that the High Court of England also ruled was illegal in 2021 and maybe even the same permit that the Office of Environmental Protection judged was illegal just 5 short months ago? That permit?

Windermere vs Buttermere Which would you rather swim in? Lake 1 (Windermere): Used as a dumping ground for sewage by United Utilities — a £7 billion private water company. Lake 2 (Buttermere): Receives no sewage discharges from United Utilities. Windermere shouldn’t look like this. Yes, these lakes aren’t identical — but this is a critical distinction. 📍First image: taken this morning at Cockshott Point
📍Second image: taken yesterday at Buttermere savewindermere.com

@christopherdoc1 @MattStaniek @Feargal_Sharkey @ChrisGPackham @GreenJennyJones @timfarron @herdyshepherd1 @SteveBackshall @RichardHammond @HugoSAS @JonathanPieNews Because they are discharging as per the permit issued by the environment agency?

@MattStaniek @Feargal_Sharkey @ChrisGPackham @GreenJennyJones @timfarron @herdyshepherd1 @SteveBackshall @RichardHammond @HugoSAS @JonathanPieNews It is criminal that this is allowed to happen . Why aren’t United Utilities prosecuted and made to pay for cleaning up ?

@BurningClock @Feargal_Sharkey Not criminal if it meets the permit set by the EA though. Assuming it will have been reported to the EA to investigate if any concerns it isn't?

@Feargal_Sharkey Utterly bloody criminal behaviour. #Despicable. They are not fulfilling their contract. #DontPayForWaterCrimes #WaterCriminals #WaterCrimes

If you think there's anything even remotely clean about so called 'treated' sewage think again. This is the sewage works outlet pipe pouring into lake Windermere filmed yesterday at 5:25pm.

@Mozzer2015 @Feargal_Sharkey Not privatised currently i believe so is the cause of issues in england actually privatisation or is it that there are many factors at play and nationalising English companies won't solve all the issues? 🤔

@Feargal_Sharkey Can you please clone yourself and come sort out our water issues in Ireland Feargal, thanking you?

Government acted quickly enough over British Steel, why not the water industry? It’s time for driven, focused, ambitious leadership. It’s time to get real.

@Against_3G @WATERSHED_i @phoeb0 Money paid out to shareholders wouldn't cover these costs. Whatever the funding model, unless heavily subsidised by the govt bills will need to rise significantly to cover these costs. Water charges have been too cheap for years unfortunately

@WATERSHED_i @phoeb0 Thank you. Wouldn't all the money the water companies paid out to shareholders have covered this? This is just another reason to re-nationalise our water.

Switzerland is one of the few countries to have introduced "tertiary" cleaning of sewage. Cleaning the sewage 3 times, removes not only bacteria & viruses but also chemicals & medicines - reducing risk of antibiotic resistant bacteria developing. theguardian.com/science/audio/…

@WATERSHED_i @Against_3G @phoeb0 Isn't phosphorus removal classed as tertiary treatment in the UK? I thought removing pharmaceuticals etc was potentially a 4th treatment stage? Even if water is nationalised costs to install will be huge so will increase bills further

@Against_3G @phoeb0 Well, in Switzerland, they don't run water for profit & they have the money for tertiary treatment which suggests that, if we weren't haemhoraging money to shareholders we'd be able to invest in tech like this.

@We_OwnIt @UniofGreenwich Isn't the guy from the uni of Greenwich a director or founder of We own it? Is this an unbiased opinion?

EXPOSED: FAKE water nationalisation price tag would still save £3 billion a year. @UniofGreenwich research shows how taking back control of our water delivers a better deal for the public. We need public ownership NOW. Sign our petition if you agree ✍️ tinyurl.com/2h9bk4e4

@WashObserver @RapidResponse47 @POTUS He is determined to destroy the environment 😭

@RapidResponse47 @POTUS Background: President Trump is signing an executive order today directing federal agencies "to remove barriers to coal leasing and mining and explore whether coal-fired electricity could help power new AI data centers." Here are the first 19 minutes of the event.

.@POTUS: "We're taking in almost $2 billion a day in tariffs... And we're doing very well in making, I call them tailored deals... Right now, Japan is flying here to make a deal, South Korea is flying here to make a deal, and others are flying here."

@Feargal_Sharkey @scottish_water Probably because its a ridiculous challenge to get headlines 🤷‍♂️ Surely no one thinks even treated wastewater is safe to drink?

"Feargal Sharkey challenges Scottish Water boss to drink a glass of river water amid sewage dumping row." Still haven't heard a word from the CEO of @scottish_water. Wonder why? 🤔 scottishdailyexpress.co.uk/news/politics/…

@leanahosea I don't think the wastewater treatment process removes most of the substances mentioned anyway does it?

Slew of pesticides, medication & recreational drugs released into Chichester & Langstone harbours in raw sewage, study finds. Now multiply that by every sewage outlet on the coast. Unknown impact on fish, shellfish & the birds & mammals who eat them. bbc.co.uk/news/articles/…

@Feargal_Sharkey @MattHayesfish @MingleDandy @Twytocrite @MattStaniek @WindrushWasp @GreenJennyJones @ChrisGPackham @JonahFisherBBC @timfarron @BBC_Cumbria @PeterStefanovi2 @sascampaigns So how much annual funding is given by Ofwat for this?

If there is a single septic tank or sewage works polluting the environment it's the EA's job to hunt them down, prosecute and enforce the law. Oh and United Utilities receive annual funding from Ofwat to pay for first time connections, like septic tanks to the sewage network. After 35 years of privatisation, there is not a single reason on Earth why any septic tank should be polluting Lake Windermere. Yet again it's all down to a failure of regulation and enforcement. PS. I'm told the number of septic tanks connect to the sewage network by UU even thought they're paid to do it is? One. Yep, one.

🚨 Windermere’s Worst Year Yet for Illegal Sewage Discharges 🚨 Our latest report—produced with Prof. Peter Hammond of @WindrushWasp —has revealed 140 days with illegal sewage spilling from the six sites around Windermere in 2024 alone. This is the highest number ever recorded in any of our reports. United Utilities had multiple chances to disprove the findings to the BBC. They failed. 
The Environment Agency has the data to hold them accountable. They haven’t. Unsurprisingly, United Utilities was not forthcoming. We had to get the Information Commissioner involved—just to get the data. And what it shows is early illegal spilling: sewage dumped before the treatment works have hit their legally specified flow rate threshold. This is the most prevalent form of illegal discharge in Windermere—and it’s being ignored. Save Windermere is now calling for: -The prosecution of United Utilities for repeated illegal discharges. -The removal of the Environment Agency’s board for regulatory failure. -An internal investigation into how illegal sewage discharges were missed. -An end to all sewage pollution into Windermere through long-term infrastructure investment. You can read our full report on this shocking story at savewindermere.com/blog/2024-ille…

@Feargal_Sharkey @MingleDandy @MattHayesfish @Twytocrite @MattStaniek @WindrushWasp @GreenJennyJones @ChrisGPackham @JonahFisherBBC @timfarron @BBC_Cumbria @PeterStefanovi2 @sascampaigns If people don't request it, is it up to UU to hunt them out? Wouldn't that be the EA to identify and advise customer of this option? UU should focus on their existing assets in my opinion

@MingleDandy @MattHayesfish @Twytocrite @Gillyc515837 @MattStaniek @WindrushWasp @GreenJennyJones @ChrisGPackham @JonahFisherBBC @timfarron @BBC_Cumbria @PeterStefanovi2 @sascampaigns Perhaps you should ask UU why they'e only completed ONE scheme in Windermere, despite claiming septic tanks are a major issue.

@MingleDandy @Feargal_Sharkey @MattHayesfish @Twytocrite @MattStaniek @WindrushWasp @GreenJennyJones @ChrisGPackham @JonahFisherBBC @timfarron @BBC_Cumbria @PeterStefanovi2 @sascampaigns Thanks that's really useful. Could be quite costly for home owners then plus ongoing liability to pay charges - which are going to be increasing for the foreseeable future. Might be cheaper just to have septic tank emptied regularly

@Gillyc515837 @Feargal_Sharkey @MattHayesfish @Twytocrite @MattStaniek @WindrushWasp @GreenJennyJones @ChrisGPackham @JonahFisherBBC @timfarron @BBC_Cumbria @PeterStefanovi2 @sascampaigns Connecting septic tanks and private sewage systems to a water company’s network normally has to follow and meet set criteria. There are also costs involved for the owner of the septic tanks/private sewage system unitedutilities.com/builders-devel…

@cm_bagot @Feargal_Sharkey It's OK- a common mistake but disappointing the press report incorrectly all the time x

@Gillyc515837 @Feargal_Sharkey of course. my apologies if my mistake has offended you.

140 days of sewage illegally dumped into Lake Windermere by United Utilities in 2024. And some people seem surprised there’s an issue with poisonous blue-green algae. Hmm? 🤔

@Twytocrite @MingleDandy @MattStaniek @WindrushWasp @Feargal_Sharkey @GreenJennyJones @ChrisGPackham @JonahFisherBBC @timfarron @BBC_Cumbria @PeterStefanovi2 @MattHayesfish @sascampaigns I am from the lake district btw and do still swim in the lakes - just not after a lot of rain. Not been ill from it yet - hopefully not tempting fate - but wouldn't drink it

@Gillyc515837 @MingleDandy @MattStaniek @WindrushWasp @Feargal_Sharkey @GreenJennyJones @ChrisGPackham @JonahFisherBBC @timfarron @BBC_Cumbria @PeterStefanovi2 @MattHayesfish @sascampaigns It's a great test of their confidence in the water. If they want people to access the lake and not get ill, they need to clean up their act and stop shitting in it.

@Twytocrite @MingleDandy @MattStaniek @WindrushWasp @Feargal_Sharkey @GreenJennyJones @ChrisGPackham @JonahFisherBBC @timfarron @BBC_Cumbria @PeterStefanovi2 @MattHayesfish @sascampaigns Is it though? If you go swimming/ paddle boarding etc you try not to swallow anything- actively drinking it way more harmful. I've see cattle grazing near the shoreline so quality never going to be 100% drinkable

@Twytocrite @MingleDandy @MattStaniek @WindrushWasp @Feargal_Sharkey @GreenJennyJones @ChrisGPackham @JonahFisherBBC @timfarron @BBC_Cumbria @PeterStefanovi2 @MattHayesfish @sascampaigns If lake water quality is the same as drinking water you wouldn't need to spend money to treat it before supplying it so not really a realistic suggestion I feel 🤔

@MingleDandy @MattStaniek @WindrushWasp @Feargal_Sharkey @GreenJennyJones @ChrisGPackham @JonahFisherBBC @timfarron @BBC_Cumbria @PeterStefanovi2 @MattHayesfish @sascampaigns We should make them test it by tasting it.

@cm_bagot @Feargal_Sharkey It's just called Windermere- mere means lake...

@Feargal_Sharkey thank you for telling it like it is. I know who I believe and we all know what should be being done BUT it isn't happening. BTW would you fish on Lake Windermere?

@Belfastmarty @BBCBreakfast @Feargal_Sharkey They do have the same issues, just not the same level of monitoring

@BBCBreakfast @Feargal_Sharkey is a legend and govt should bring him on board to sort the water rip-off companies out. Not so many issues on water quality in Scotland or NI (wonder why?)

'If it's going to contribute to the bonuses received by the people at the top of private companies not quite so happy about it' On a special #BBCBreakfast Jon is in Windermere to ask people about the increase in water bills by an average 26% in England and Wales bbc.co.uk/news/articles/…