Water company executives could face up to two years in prison and be barred from receiving bonuses under new government proposals targeting England’s polluted waterways. The Water (Special Measures) Bill aims to strengthen regulators to combat water companies discharging sewage into rivers, lakes, and seas, addressing public outrage.
Environmental groups cautiously welcomed the bill as an “important first step” towards cleaning up the nation’s waterways. However, they stress the need for further action, pointing to numerous other issues needing resolution. The government acknowledges the necessity for “wider reform.”
The bill, potentially effective in the new year, would increase fines and could imprison executives who fail to cooperate or obstruct investigations by delaying data provision. While existing laws allow imprisonment for other offences, no successful prosecutions have occurred despite “widespread illegality,” according to the government.
🔴 Sewage leak water bosses to face two years in jail
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Environment Secretary Steve Reed emphasised public anger over sewage levels in waterways, describing the current state as unacceptable. He stated that under this government, water executives would no longer profit while polluting water resources.
The bill also empowers Ofwat to withhold bonuses from water company executives who breach environmental, consumer, or financial standards, though the system for this is yet to be designed. This year, Severn Trent chief Liz Garfield received a £584,000 bonus despite the company being fined £2m for sewage spills in the River Trent.
Monitoring of sewage overflows and real-time reporting of discharges will be mandated, providing data to the public. Although most of England’s 14,000 storm overflows are monitored, an additional 7,000 emergency overflows due to system failures currently lack oversight.
The Environment Agency will be authorised to recover investigation costs from water companies, aiming to restore its resources and expertise, which have diminished over the past decade due to funding cuts. Although former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak reinstated some resources in February, enforcement actions and staffing had significantly declined.
Decades of underinvestment, a growing population, extreme weather from climate change, agricultural pollution, and watchdog funding cuts have left waterways in poor condition. Only 14% of England’s rivers and lakes are in good ecological health.
Shaun Spiers of Green Alliance described the bill as a useful first step, but highlighted the significant challenge of funding necessary upgrades and measures. Ofwat recently limited water companies from raising bills by more than £94 over the next five years, a third less than requested.
James Wallace of River Action UK welcomed the government’s commitment to addressing river pollution but called for an urgent review of regulators. He stated that effective enforcement requires well-funded regulators.
The environment department hinted at further regulatory actions but did not provide specific timelines. The government aims for a “wider reform to fix the broken water system” within this parliament, including infrastructure upgrades and maintaining investment attractiveness.
A Water UK spokesperson agreed that the water system needs fixing and urged the government to deliver promised regulatory reforms and investment acceleration. Ofwat’s support for a £105bn investment plan is deemed crucial to securing water supplies, fostering economic growth, and ending sewage discharges into waterways.
What Other Media Are Saying
- LBC reports that water company bosses could face jail time and be banned from bonuses under a new government crackdown.(read more)
- Yahoo News reports that Labour’s new laws will see water bosses face prison if they pump filth into Britain’s lakes and rivers, emphasizing the need for severe punishment to combat severe pollution incidents.(read more)
- The Guardian reports that the Environment Agency is calling for jail sentences for water firm bosses due to severe pollution incidents.(read more)
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some common questions asked about this news
What is the new Water (Special Measures) Bill?
A bill to increase fines and jail water executives for sewage pollution and enhance regulatory powers.
What penalties could water company bosses face under the new bill?
They could face up to two years in prison and be banned from taking bonuses.
Why are England’s waterways in such a poor state?
Due to underinvestment, population growth, climate change, farming pollution, and cuts to watchdog funding.
What measures will the bill implement for sewage monitoring?
Monitoring every sewage overflow and reporting discharges in real-time, with data available to the public.
How have green groups reacted to the new water bill?
They cautiously welcomed it as an ‘important first step’ but emphasized the need for further regulatory reform.