27 Mar 2025
Image description: Overlapping pound notes. Image by Pixabay. Ofwat, the UK’s water regulator, has announced bonuses for water bosses in England could be banned this year for companies that spill sewage, break the law or mismanage their finances. New powers under the Water (Special Measures) Act mean the regulator can ban bonuses of water […]
20 Mar 2025
Last year, Professor Carolyn Roberts brought a landmark class action against six of England’s largest water companies for alleged breaches of environmental duties. The suit claimed the six defendants significantly under-reported pollution incidents, which allowed them to charge higher prices than would have been permitted if accurate reports had been made. This under-reporting was argued […]
20 Mar 2025
Thames Water was reported to have discharged 50% more sewage into England’s rivers last year, compared with the previous 12 months. In numbers, this rose from 196,414 hours of raw effluent in 2023 to 300,000 hours in 2024. The data was analysed by University College of London Professor Peter Hammond after Thames Water won approval […]
20 Mar 2025
Water regulator Ofwat has concluded its investigation into Yorkshire Water, securing an enforcement package of £40m to be paid by the wastewater company. Their investigation found on average the firm discharged untreated wastewater into the region’s rivers for seven hours a day in 2023, with almost half its storm overflows found to be in breach […]
11 Mar 2025
Six of the UK’s biggest water companies may have to pay up to £510m in compensation after being accused of overcharging businesses, charities and local authorities by concealing the scale of their sewage spills. Environmental consultant Professor Carolyn Roberts and law firm RPC have issued letters to each of the six firms – Thames Water, […]
11 Mar 2025
In 2024, it was revealed United Utilities had repeatedly discharged millions of litres of raw sewage illegally into Lake Windermere over a three-year period. Environment Secretary Steve Reed has pledged that he will work toward a future where “only rainwater” enters England’s largest lake. The announcement comes as Reed and water minister Emma Hardy embark […]
06 Mar 2025
Photo by Sang Yun Cho / Pixabay The environmental group River Action has announced they are taking legal action against Ofwat, the water regulator, accusing it of making customers pay twice for services that have not yet been delivered. Water companies are under investigation by Ofwat for breaches to their permits, an inquiry that […]
06 Mar 2025
The Independent Water Commission, launched last October by the UK and Welsh governments, is seeking views in relation to the water sector in England and Wales. A Call for Evidence opened on February 27 and will close on April 23. The public, environment groups, investors and others are invited to share their views on future […]
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