There are about 100 United Utilities outfalls along the canal, where treated waste is released from the sewerage network.
Raw sewage is also dumped when the system is operating over capacity, something the judges said could be avoided if the firm “invested in improved infrastructure and treatment”.
A lengthy legal battle took place between the canal company, owned by the Peel Group, and United Utilities.
The water provider argued that only regulators could take action over the spills, with the original 1991 act that privatised the sector providing it with protection.
But Paul Greatholder, partner at law firm Russell Cooke, said that the ruling on Wednesday meant the “floodgates are open”.
“This could bring a range of potential claims from either the owners of adjacent waterways, or even from members of the public who have been made unwell as a consequence,” he said.
Emily Nicholson, partner at law firm Mishcon de Reya said: “If millions of copycat claims then spring up, that will be a reflection of the utility companies’ failures rather than the failure of the courts or legal system.”
She said that those affected by any failures, such as swimmers, fishermen and environmental organisations, now at least have a route to seek redress.
Mr Greatholder also suggested that the Supreme Court had put down a “marker” for water utility companies in claiming that issues could have been avoided if more investment had gone into improving the canal’s infrastructure.
“No doubt the same could be said of all water companies. Thames Water has spent billions of pounds on a ‘supersewer’ running through London to try to mitigate just this sort of issue,” he added.
Water firms including Thames Water have come under significant scrutiny over their environmental records in recent months.
Recent BBC analysis found that every major English water company had reported data suggesting they’ve discharged raw sewage when the weather is dry – a practice which is potentially illegal.
On Tuesday, United Utilities said it “understood and shared” concerns about the need to improve, and pointed to a £3bn investment plan aimed at cutting pollution by improving infrastructure.
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