S1 EP09 SEWAGE WARS: AI Exposing Sewage Pollution. Solicitor Zöe Mernick-Levene & Ashley Smith Discuss the Water Pollution Law Suit

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Water companies in the UK have been dumping ever-increasing amounts of sewage into our rivers and waterways. Now, a law suit could hit them where it hurts and cost them hundreds of millions of pounds. Law firm Leigh Day is leading a collective action accusing them of abusing their dominant position by over-charging customers.
The action hinges on the allegation that water companies knowingly failed to report the number and extent of sewage discharges and were therefore allowed to charge customers more. The first claim has been issued against Severn Trent and further claims will be issued against Thames Water, United Utilities, Anglian Water, Yorkshire Water and Northumbrian Water. Zöe Mernick-Levene , a partner at law firm Leigh Day explains the case against them which is being brought by Professor Carolyn Roberts an environmental and water consultant.
Ashley Smith from campaign group Windrush Against Sewage Pollution joins us to talk about his work and explain how mathematician Peter Hammond used AI to expose thousands of unnoticed spills.
We delve into how this data is captured, scrutinized and the fact that just 1% of it is reviewed by the environment agency. We'll probe into why water companies are being secretive about data and the crucial impact of citizen scientists in pushing the case forward. We'll also be discussing the reports from dozens of elite triathletes who say they fell ill after competing in the World Championships in Sunderland's water and the response from Northumbria Water. Listen in as we scrutinise the statement issued by the Environment Agency and DEFRA .
Brace yourself for a deep dive into the legal challenges faced by water companies for their pollution. Ashley unfolds the inception of Windrush Against Sewage Pollution and its efforts to expose the deteriorating condition of the River Windrush. Zöe uncovers their legal warfare using opt-out claims to make corporate giants rethink their actions.
We'll also compare the water systems globally to the UK's, exploring how privatisation led to profits at the expense of infrastructure. Ending on a note of damages, we decipher how a tribunal would decide the overpayment for each customer.
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