Monday 20 February 2023

‘Water companies must show improvements’

Water companies must disclose their plans to improve infrastructure, the Environment Secretary has said.

Thérèse Coffey is also calling for it to become easier to enforce penalties onto businesses that illegal pollute water in the UK.

Although more than £102 million in fines were handed out in 2021, the prosecution process can take a while, which is why she is demanding change.

In addition to this, a concise preparation plan for storm overflow must be submitted from companies, to ensure the amount being spilled is limited.

Ms Coffey said: “People are concerned about the impacts of sewage entering our rivers and seas and I am crystal clear that this is totally unacceptable.”

The government published the Storm Overflows Discharge Reduction Plan last year, which will see a £56 billion capital investment across 25 in what is the biggest infrastructure programme in water company history.

On this, she added: “Through the largest infrastructure programme in water company history we will tackle the problem at source, with more investment on projects like the new Thames Tideway super sewer. I am making sure that regulators have the powers they need to take action when companies don’t follow the rules, including higher penalties that are quicker and easier to enforce.

“I am now demanding every company to come back to me with a clear plan for what they are doing on every storm overflow, prioritising those near sites where people swim and our most precious habitats.”