MP welcomes positive steps from United Utilities, but a long road lies ahead

Ahead of the national figures on sewage dumping being released, local Liberal Democrat MP Lisa Smart has met with United Utilities to push them to go further and faster on improvements to the network.

The MP said that it was clear that the company were treating the issue with the seriousness that was needed, but noted that there were still years of improvements needed before the company were reaching the necessary standards. 

Lisa Smart MP said: “United Utilities have clearly been listening to our demands for improvements. The level of engagement that we got, and the detail of plans that they had at the meeting, were significantly improved on what we have seen in the past. 

“However, this is an industry that has fallen so far beyond the level of what is expected of them, that the improvements that they have started to deliver will still take years to get them to the basic level that we would expect.”

The United Utilities representatives told the MP that they were aiming to see positive improvements in the region, and for the results in the north west to exceed those of other water companies, when the figures were released in a few days. 

Lisa Smart MP added: “If the results are what United Utilities are hoping for, then that is a step in the right direction. But it is clear that there is a very long road ahead for them, and I will be holding them to account the whole time.

“As a councillor, they stood in front of me at the local area committee when we were the first council in the country to commission a report into their activities. It was clear from the conversation that I had this week, that they listened and learned from that meeting. That needs to continue, and I aim to ensure it does.”