Ship Canal wins right to challenge sewage spills

RULING COULD BE LEGAL LANDMARK IAS CONCERN GROWS OVER WATER COMPANIES' DISCHARGES

- DECLAN CAREY

THE company which owns and operates the Manchester Ship Canal has won a legal battle over sewage polluting the region's waterways.

It follows a long-running dispute between the Manchester Ship Canal Company (MSCC) and United Utilities, which began in 2010.

The MSCC had initially been blocked from taking legal action.

But yesterday, it was confirmed the firm had managed to overturn the decision on appeal at the Supreme Court.

It has now been ruled that 'the owner of a canal or other watercourse has the right to preserve the quality of the water. This right is protected by the common law.

The ruling added: "The discharge of polluting effluent into a privately owned watercourse is an actionable nuisance at common law if the pollution interferes with the owner's use or enjoyment of its property."