Why has Leigh Day decided to now add Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water as a defendant?

Leigh Day believes that the Avara Foods poultry group’s operations are the single largest source of the pollution in the rivers. However, it is alleged that Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water’s sewage pollution is the second-largest single source and following a recent change in the law, Leigh Day is now able to extend the claim to include Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water.

Although it had previously been extremely difficult to bring a case against a sewerage company, a Supreme Court judgment in July 2024 has made it much easier.

Leigh Day can therefore rely on this ruling to hold Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water accountable for its alleged contribution to the pollution and it is already bringing similar legal actions against other sewerage companies, such as on behalf of the community of Exmouth against South West Water.