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."

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

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