United Utilities Water Ltd v Manchester Ship Canal Co Ltd

Subject Matter

WATER — Sewerage — Discharge — Sewerage undertaker having implied statutory right to discharge surface water and treated effluent into canal — Unauthorised discharge of untreated effluent occurring following heavy rainfall and overload of sewerage system — Whether canal owner having private right of action against sewerage undertaker — Whether owner only having statutory remedy — Water Industry Act 1991 (c 56), ss 94, 117(5), 186(3)

[2021] EWHC 1571 (Ch); [2021] 1 WLR 5871; [2021] WLR(D) 343, Ch D

WATER — Sewerage — Discharge — Agreement between canal owner and sewerage undertaker giving sewerage undertaker right to discharge water from its outfalls into canal — Right terminable on notice from canal owner — Whether agreement ultra vires and void — Whether sewerage undertaker having continuing statutory right to discharge following termination of agreement — Public Health Act 1875 (38 & 39 Vict c 55), ss 16, 18 — Public Health Act 1936 (26 Geo 5 & 1 Edw 8, c 49), ss 15, 22

[2022] EWCA Civ 852; [2023] Ch 1; [2022] 3 WLR 1193; [2023] 1 All ER 633; [2022] WLR(D) 276, CA

WATER — Sewerage — Discharge — Untreated effluent discharged into canal from sewerage undertaker’s outfalls following heavy rainfall — Whether canal owner having private right of action against sewerage undertaker — Whether such action inconsistent with statutory scheme for enforcement of sewerage undertakers’ duties — Water Industry Act 1991 (c 56), ss 117(5), 186(3)

[2022] EWCA Civ 852; [2023] Ch 1; [2022] 3 WLR 1193; [2023] 1 All ER 633; [2022] WLR(D) 276, CA

[2024] UKSC 22; [2025] AC 761; [2024] 3 WLR 356; [2024] 4 All ER 825, SC(E)

Appellate History

Commentary

Out-Law
Court of Appeal ruling on discharges ‘welcome confirmation’ for sewerage companies Case comment