this post was submitted on 30 Mar 2024
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UK Nature and Environment

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South West Water is claiming it has no legal obligation to keep rivers and seawater clean of sewage in its defence against a Devon swimmer who is taking the water company to court.

Jo Bateman, who attempts to swim every day off the coast of Exmouth, is taking legal action against South West Water, claiming its frequent sewage discharges into the sea have taken away her legal right to a public “amenity”.

However, in its defence to Ms Bateman’s claim, seen by i, the water firm states no one has a legal right to swim in the sea.

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[–] Lemming421@lemmy.world 74 points 7 months ago

Fucking nationalise them. Screw the shareholders, this is where their greed has taken us.

[–] cynar@lemmy.world 57 points 7 months ago (4 children)

If it's fine to dump whatever they want into the sea and rivers, what's to stop someone dumping a large amount of concrete directly over their vents? If it happens to fill and block their pipes, that's their problem.

[–] thr0w4w4y2@sh.itjust.works 29 points 7 months ago (2 children)

“sorry but due to increased vandalism in your area, we’re raising your water bill by 50%. feel free to complain to your MP who let us do this on the basis that we made a large donation to his re-election campaign and offered him a cushy director job when he’s finished. also, we’ll be doubling our shareholder dividend this year. thanks!”

[–] cynar@lemmy.world 16 points 7 months ago

Do you honestly think is NOT filling their pipes with concrete would stop them raising prices by 50%, if they thought they could get away with it?

[–] Mango@lemmy.world 1 points 7 months ago (1 children)

I'm sorry right back. Points gun

[–] thr0w4w4y2@sh.itjust.works 1 points 7 months ago* (last edited 7 months ago) (1 children)

guns

britain

choose one :(

[–] Mango@lemmy.world 1 points 7 months ago

I choose guns.

[–] Lemminary@lemmy.world 25 points 7 months ago* (last edited 7 months ago)

I nether condemn or condone these actions, but if anyone needs cement for whatever reason I have some leftover in the garage.

[–] CasualPenguin@reddthat.com 4 points 7 months ago (1 children)

Their lawyers

The same ones that made up this stupid defense and have zero need to honor it

[–] I_Has_A_Hat@lemmy.world 7 points 7 months ago

I know it's often a lawyers job to throw anything and everything at the wall to see what sticks, but I feel there needs to be some consequences for bad faith, or in this case inhuman, arguments. Like, it fully reveals the priorities of the company and shows there is significant culture rot.

[–] BakedGoods@sh.itjust.works 4 points 7 months ago

Better to gather up everyone at South West Water, every shareholder, dig a hole to put them in, and dump the cement over them. A more permanent solution to such problems.

[–] Thade780@lemmy.world 37 points 7 months ago

Absolute insanity.

[–] Buddahriffic@lemmy.world 25 points 7 months ago (1 children)

Am I the only one who thinks that anyone who makes an argument like this should immediately be executed?

[–] Baylahoo@lemmy.world 10 points 7 months ago

No, it's harsh but fair. Despicable view of the world from the water company.

[–] underisk@lemmy.ml 24 points 7 months ago

but the firm has a legal right to pollute the water?

[–] NESSI3@lemmy.sdf.org 22 points 7 months ago* (last edited 7 months ago) (1 children)
[–] Cataphract@lemmy.ml 2 points 7 months ago

Is it an unpopular opinion that swimming in the ocean....kinda sucks? It's great for spelunking/exploring, viewing, etc. but I would rather swim in a pool if I had the two choices in front of me.

[–] insaneinthemembrane@lemmy.world 19 points 7 months ago

Thanks Tories!

[–] doublejay1999@lemmy.world 18 points 7 months ago (1 children)

Direct action required now .

Where do I sign up.

[–] SpaceScotsman@startrek.website 15 points 7 months ago (1 children)

England really needs to get right to roam legislation like Scotland. It would make it more difficult for companies to make claims like this and make it clear that everyone has a responsibility to keep nature clean as its a shared resource

[–] martinb@lemmy.sdf.org 2 points 7 months ago

But the poors on moi laaaaaarnd!

[–] FatLegTed@feddit.uk 11 points 7 months ago

There's a French lady, Madam something or other that might help out here. Seriously though, there really needs to be severe action taken on these companies, and as Lemming421 said, stuff the shareholders, it's their pure greed and arrogance that has led us here.

[–] AngstyPony@feddit.uk 1 points 7 months ago

Isn't the sea a commons? (I checked and it's the high seas that are "Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction") Maybe the Govt doesn't require the water-company to keep the rivers and seas disease-free - they did reduce environmental standards, at least once. So legally they might be correct. But in reality, a shitty company doing the dirty work of a shitty government.