Lisa Smart, Liberal Democrat Parliamentary candidate for Hazel Grove, has described the UK water industry as 'a gravy train where sewage and money flows freely' in a recent statement.

It comes not long after Stockport Council launched an inquiry - chaired by Ms Smart - into water firms for pumping sewage into rivers such as the Goyt and the Mersey. 

The Lib Dem councillor also crticised what she perceived as "eye-watering payouts", as the party revealed United Utilities paid their executives £4,295,000 in pay and perks last year.

"Our local waterways are being pumped full of disgusting raw sewage, all whilst the water firm hand themselves insulting pay-outs", she said. "The whole thing stinks. These salaries and perks have reached eye-watering levels, yet Conservative Ministers refuse to act. 

"I was shocked that there was literally no mention of sewage in the King's Speech. [...]

"This country's water industry has become a gravy train where sewage and money flows freely. This is a scandal and happening on this government's watch.

More recently, plans to plant a new woodland near Otterspool Road, Romiley, were cancelled after the ground was discovered to be contaminated with sewage, and therefore too toxic. 

At the time, a United Utilities spokesperson said: "An issue on our network caused flooding from a manhole, affecting a small section of a field in Stockport which we are cleaning and repair work is being programmed."

Speaking of sewage overspills more generally, United Utilities maintain that the incidents were overflows, intended to prevent flooding.

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