A first hearing for the biggest ever claim to be brought in the UK over domestic environmental pollution will take place at the High Court in London today, Monday, April 27.
The case centres on pollution in the rivers Wye, Lugg and Usk, and involves more than 4,500 claimants.
It is the largest UK legal action of its kind and alleges widespread environmental harm due to industrial activity and sewage management.
The lawsuit names Avara Foods Limited, Freemans of Newent Limited, and Welsh Water as defendants, claiming their actions have led to serious pollution of the rivers.
All three companies have denied the allegations.
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Oliver Holland, partner at Leigh Day and lead lawyer on the case, said: "This first court appearance marks an important step in the Wye, Lugg and Usk pollution claim.
"There has been a great deal of effort put in by the community and environmental campaigners to help drive the proceedings to this point, showing the strength of feeling from those involved about the state of the rivers."
The claimants argue that industrial chicken farming operations and the management of sewage systems have caused significant environmental damage to the rivers.
They will ask the court to give additional time for more residents and businesses to join the action, and to request disclosure of the locations of poultry operations.
River Action, a campaign group supporting the claim, is organising a demonstration outside the Royal Courts of Justice on the day of the hearing, featuring the 'Goddess of the Wye,' a large-scale puppet symbolising the river.
A spokesperson for Avara Foods said: “This case management conference is a procedural hearing and does not consider the merits of the case."
They claim the allegations are "misconceived and reflect a misunderstanding of both our business and the wider factors affecting river health," adding that they are "confident in our position and believe the claim is unsupported by any proper scientific basis".
The spokesperson also said Environment Agency data notes a downward trend in phosphorus levels, added that independent research shows river health is influenced by multiple factors unrelated to Avara.
A Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water spokesperson said protecting and improving the environment remains a "top priority" for the company.
They also said they had invested more than £76m on reducing nutrient levels in the Wye, Lugg and Usk between 2020 and 2025, with further investment planned.
“We believe this case is misguided and risks diverting time and resources away from the shared goal of improving river water quality," they said, adding that "any financial penalties would directly reduce the funding available to invest in essential services and deliver the environmental improvements our customers expect."
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