Every river in England is polluted, new Environment Secretary Steve Reed warns as he backs 'severe fines' for utilities illegally pumping sewage into lakes and waterways
8 months ago

Every river in England is polluted, new Environment Secretary Steve Reed warns as he backs 'severe fines' for utilities illegally pumping sewage into lakes and waterways

Daily Mail  

Every single river in England is polluted, the new Environment Secretary claimed today as he backed new 'severe fines' for water companies. He spoke out after regulator Ofwat last week revealed all 11 water firms in England and Wales are under scrutiny as part of a major investigation into sewage pollution in rivers. He spoke out after regulator Ofwat last week revealed a ll 11 water firms in England and Wales are under scrutiny as part of a major investigation into sewage pollution in rivers. Total hours water companies in England leaked sewage into rivers, lakes and the sea in 2023 shown by the areas they cover Thames Trent originally wanted to up their bills to £191 by 2030, with Severn Trent following closely behind with a proposed rise of £141 'It's cheaper for them to pay the fine than to invest in fixing the broken infrastructure. Ofwat has allowed firms to increase bills by 21 per cent, amid public outrage over polluted water ways and 3.6 million hours worth of sewage spilling into England's rivers and seas last year.

England Water Rivers River Firms Steve Reed Severn Trent Ofwat Sewage  regulator  reed  water  week  firms  waterways  england  river  sewage  steve  rivers  utilities  severe  pumping  secretary  trent  warns  bills

History of this topic

Thames Water wins court approval in London for emergency funding deal
Trending News
1 week ago

Thames Water wins court approval in London for emergency funding deal

Associated Press  

LONDON — Thames Water, which serves 16 million people in and around London, has received court approval for up to 3 billion pounds of emergency funding, preventing the company from falling into government administration. Thames Water, which has about 17 billion pounds of debt, was in danger of running out of money within days if the court had not authorized …

UK government vows to clean up Lake Windemere after beauty spot clogged with sewage
2 weeks ago

UK government vows to clean up Lake Windemere after beauty spot clogged with sewage

Associated Press  

LONDON — The U.K. government pledged Monday to clean up Lake Windermere, a sewage-clogged beauty spot that has come to symbolize the filthy state of Britain’s waterways. Environment Secretary Steve Reed said the aim was to stop all sewage discharges into England’s largest lake. Last year the BBC revealed that the local water company, United Utilities, had discharged more than …

People urged to share views on how to clean up water and rebuild trust
3 weeks, 4 days ago

People urged to share views on how to clean up water and rebuild trust

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy The water industry’s problems are …

Sewage overflows ‘not good enough’, boss of North West water supplier says
Trending News
3 weeks, 5 days ago

Sewage overflows ‘not good enough’, boss of North West water supplier says

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy The water firm behind historic …

Water boss admits ‘devastating’ impact of parasite outbreak while pay rises
3 weeks, 6 days ago

Water boss admits ‘devastating’ impact of parasite outbreak while pay rises

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy The boss of South West …

Why taxpayers could still face a bill for Thames Water despite £3bn lifeline
1 month ago

Why taxpayers could still face a bill for Thames Water despite £3bn lifeline

The Independent  

Britain’s largest, and most indebted, private utility, Thames Water, has been in financial difficulties for some time and has now been given another reprieve by the High Court. The company has substantial physical assets and should, in normal circumstances, with sympathetic regulators and the right balance sheet, enjoy steady monopoly returns from captive consumers – one in four of the …

Thames Water among six water firms urging watchdog for higher bill increases
1 month ago

Thames Water among six water firms urging watchdog for higher bill increases

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Thames Water is among six …

Water firms appeal to watchdog for higher customer bill increases
1 month ago

Water firms appeal to watchdog for higher customer bill increases

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. In December, sector regulator Ofwat said it would allow …

Judge approves emergency plan to keep Britain’s largest water company afloat
1 month ago

Judge approves emergency plan to keep Britain’s largest water company afloat

Associated Press  

LONDON — A judge approved an emergency plan Tuesday to keep Britain’s largest water company afloat, averting the possibility of a temporary government takeover. Justice Thomas Leech ruled in the High Court in London that the company’s restructuring proposal was a better alternative for the public than having Thames Water become insolvent and come under government administration, or a competing …

Why are water bills going up so much?
1 month, 3 weeks ago

Why are water bills going up so much?

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Household water bills in England …

Revealed: The water firm bosses who claim millions in pay and benefits - despite bills increasing
3 months ago

Revealed: The water firm bosses who claim millions in pay and benefits - despite bills increasing

Daily Mail  

Water company fat cats who pollute Britain’s seas, rivers and streams claim millions in pay and perks while blowing similar amounts on fines for their poor performance. Thames Water boss Chris Weston who became CEO of struggling Thames Water in January UK’s worst-performing water company Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water, is run by former electricity board boss Peter Perry The UK’s …

How water firms could rinse the taxpayer
3 months ago

How water firms could rinse the taxpayer

The Independent  

It was probably not the best day for the water industry regulator to announce that average bills in England and Wales will increase by 36 per cent over the next five years. Its debts of around £18bn are simply too large to service without swingeing increases in bills and possible taxpayer assistance – subsidies that will end up in the …

The water industry got itself into a mess – why should customers pay the price?
3 months ago

The water industry got itself into a mess – why should customers pay the price?

The Independent  

The water industry regulator’s website crashed this morning as it announced by quite how much the privatised water companies will soon be able to rinse its customers. Despite Thames Water declaring it had made “solid progress” on its transformation and turnaround, it’s not exactly clear what “progress” means in this instance. Companies like to report several different measures of profit, …

Households to face average £86 hike to water bills next year alone
3 months ago

Households to face average £86 hike to water bills next year alone

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Households in England and Wales …

Water bills set for steep price hike after Ofwat review – how much will yours rise by?
Trending News
3 months ago

Water bills set for steep price hike after Ofwat review – how much will yours rise by?

The Independent  

Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Average water bills in England and Wales will increase by …

What do rising water bills mean for YOU? All your questions answered as average household set to pay an extra £31 per year
Trending News
3 months ago

What do rising water bills mean for YOU? All your questions answered as average household set to pay an extra £31 per year

Daily Mail  

Household water bills in England and Wales will increase by an average £31 a year over the next five years, regulator Ofwat announced today. Household water bills in England and Wales will increase by a total of £157 or 36 per cent over the next five years – an average £31 a year over that period. The Committee will hold …

Thames Water slapped with £18m fine by Ofwat for dishing out 'unjustified' dividends
3 months ago

Thames Water slapped with £18m fine by Ofwat for dishing out 'unjustified' dividends

Daily Mail  

Thames Water has been handed an £18.2million fine after regulator Ofwat used powers to crack down on firms paying 'unjustified' dividends for the first time. The regulator said Thames Water made interim dividend payouts totalling £37.5million to its holding company, Thames Water Utilities Holdings Limited, in October last year and further payouts of about £158.3million in March 2024. The ruling …

Water bills set to surge by 36%, regulator Ofwat says
Trending News
3 months ago

Water bills set to surge by 36%, regulator Ofwat says

The Independent  

Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Average water bills in England and Wales will increase by …

Household water bills to rise by an average £31 a year from April
Top News
3 months ago

Household water bills to rise by an average £31 a year from April

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Household water bills in England …

Government breached law by allowing water firms to discharge sewage, watchdog finds
3 months, 1 week ago

Government breached law by allowing water firms to discharge sewage, watchdog finds

The Independent  

Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Summary The Office for Environmental Protection ruled that the UK government and regulatory bodies …

UK govt accused of breaking law by allowing sewage spills
3 months, 1 week ago

UK govt accused of breaking law by allowing sewage spills

Hindustan Times  

The UK government and regulators broke the law by allowing water companies to dump raw sewage into tributaries even when it wasn’t raining, a public watchdog said Tuesday while threatening court action. Discharges of untreated waste into public waters in recent years triggered outrage among Britons and prompted citizen scientists to conduct their own testing regimes because they don’t trust …

UK water companies 'must do more to help bill payers'
3 months, 1 week ago

UK water companies 'must do more to help bill payers'

China Daily  

A vehicle enters Thames Water's Mogden sewage treatment works in West London, England in this file photo. BEN STANSALL / AFP Water companies in England and Wales have been urged to offer more help to vulnerable customers and bill payers ahead of the latest round of price increases, due to be announced this week. For the last few years, privatized …

UK water companies 'must do more to help bill payers'
3 months, 1 week ago

UK water companies 'must do more to help bill payers'

China Daily  

A vehicle enters Thames Water's Mogden sewage treatment works in West London, England in this file photo. BEN STANSALL / AFP Water companies in England and Wales have been urged to offer more help to vulnerable customers and bill payers ahead of the latest round of price increases, due to be announced this week. For the last few years, privatized …

Households ‘to be hit with hike in water bills of at least 20 per cent’ sparking backlash
3 months, 1 week ago

Households ‘to be hit with hike in water bills of at least 20 per cent’ sparking backlash

The Independent  

Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Get our free View from Westminster email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Households are going to be hit with a hike in water …

Thames Water boss defends bonuses and repeats calls for steep bills hikes
3 months, 2 weeks ago

Thames Water boss defends bonuses and repeats calls for steep bills hikes

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Regulator Ofwat revealed in November that Thames Water was …

Water firms blocked from using customer cash for ‘undeserved’ £6.8m boss bonuses
4 months ago

Water firms blocked from using customer cash for ‘undeserved’ £6.8m boss bonuses

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Nine water companies, including stricken …

Water firms blocked from using billpayer cash for ‘unjustifiable’ bonuses
4 months ago

Water firms blocked from using billpayer cash for ‘unjustifiable’ bonuses

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Troubled Thames Water is among …

Thames Water: Fears of more bill hikes as £38bn bill revealed
4 months ago

Thames Water: Fears of more bill hikes as £38bn bill revealed

The Independent  

Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. A spokesperson for Thames Water said: “We take a rigorous approach to financial discipline …

Two in five households will struggle with water bill increases, report warns
4 months, 2 weeks ago

Two in five households will struggle with water bill increases, report warns

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Two in five households across …

Water Pollution Protests in London: A Call for Clean Water and Environmental Justice
4 months, 2 weeks ago

Water Pollution Protests in London: A Call for Clean Water and Environmental Justice

Associated Press  

Thousands of people marched in London on Sunday to demand a cleanup of Britain's sewage-tainted waterways. The march was organized by various environmental groups and focused on the issue of water pollution caused by private companies that provide both water and sewage. The march highlighted the high-profile issue of water pollution in Britain, which has become increasingly prominent due to …

Why I’ll be joining today’s march to clean up Britain’s polluted rivers
4 months, 3 weeks ago

Why I’ll be joining today’s march to clean up Britain’s polluted rivers

The Independent  

The River Irk was once renowned for the clarity of its water. According to the same study, the River Irwell – into which the Irk flows via an underground culvert beneath Manchester Victoria station – was blighted by the worst sewage pollution of all. As well as all too regular discharges from sewage outflows, a report analysing microplastic pollution via …

Polluting water companies to face lighter punishments despite public outrage
4 months, 3 weeks ago

Polluting water companies to face lighter punishments despite public outrage

The Telegraph  

Failing water companies face lighter punishments under a climbdown being prepared by the industry regulator, risking an increase in leakages, water supply interruptions, and pollution. Investors in Britain’s water sector have rounded on the watchdog, claiming its hardline stance risks deterring further foreign investment in the industry at a time when it is crying out for billions of pounds of …

Water sector review could include replacing Ofwat amid row over bills and sewage
5 months ago

Water sector review could include replacing Ofwat amid row over bills and sewage

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. “The commission’s findings will help shape new legislation to …

Water companies push for higher bills again as customers face up to 84% hike
5 months ago

Water companies push for higher bills again as customers face up to 84% hike

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Please try again later {{ …

Water companies ask to raise bills by even more than first planned
5 months ago

Water companies ask to raise bills by even more than first planned

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. The watchdog wrote: “We will consider this additional expenditure …

What are the latest penalties for water firms, and will they reduce bills?
5 months, 2 weeks ago

What are the latest penalties for water firms, and will they reduce bills?

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. The regulator said firms were missing their targets on …

Water firms to return £158m to customers over leaks and pollution failings
5 months, 2 weeks ago

Water firms to return £158m to customers over leaks and pollution failings

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Water companies will have to …

Water companies ordered to pay back £158m to customers
5 months, 2 weeks ago

Water companies ordered to pay back £158m to customers

The Telegraph  

Water companies have been ordered to return £158m to households as they were rebuked over their poor performance. It comes after water companies’ sewage spills into English rivers and seas more than doubled last year, adding to growing public outrage over the privatised utilities sector. Ofwat chief executive David Black warned that water companies kept blaming “outside causes” rather than …

Household water complaints spike amid environment and meter concerns
5 months, 3 weeks ago

Household water complaints spike amid environment and meter concerns

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Concerns about firms’ environmental performance and water meters had …

Water companies 'lied over sewage discharges'
5 months, 3 weeks ago

Water companies 'lied over sewage discharges'

China Daily  

A drone view shows Mogden sewage treatment works, owned by Thames Water, in west London, Britain on July 9. It is alleged that the companies, including the largest, Thames Water, which has around 15 million customers, have under-reported the number of sewage discharges to the water industry regulator Ofwat, enabling them to charge customers higher bills, with Reuters reporting that …

Water nationalisation comes with more-than £99 billion price tag, minister warns
6 months ago

Water nationalisation comes with more-than £99 billion price tag, minister warns

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Nationalising water firms would cost …

Public told to cut water use as Steve Reed warns water bosses they could face prison for polluting rivers
6 months, 2 weeks ago

Public told to cut water use as Steve Reed warns water bosses they could face prison for polluting rivers

The Independent  

Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. More than nine in 10 people think they use “vastly” …

The UK says water bosses could face prison under plans to clean up sewage-clogged rivers
6 months, 2 weeks ago

The UK says water bosses could face prison under plans to clean up sewage-clogged rivers

Associated Press  

LONDON — The bosses of water companies that pollute waterways could go to prison under a new law the British government says will help clean up the country’s sewage-clogged rivers, lakes and beaches. The private companies that provide combined water and sewage services routinely discharge sewage into waterways when rain overwhelms sewer systems often dating from the Victorian era. Environment …

Water bosses could face prison time under Labour over dumping sewage into Britain’s rivers and lakes
6 months, 2 weeks ago

Water bosses could face prison time under Labour over dumping sewage into Britain’s rivers and lakes

The Independent  

Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Sewage was pumped into Cumbria’s Lake Windermere in September 2022 …

What will it cost to finally clean up our water industry?
6 months, 3 weeks ago

What will it cost to finally clean up our water industry?

The Independent  

These are only some of the problems facing the water industry – and a row has erupted about how much money will be needed to solve them. Water UK, the industry’s lobby group, is unhappy about Ofwat’s decision to allow average household bills to rise by £94 per household over the next five years. that its draft decision to cut …

Thames Water proposes huge new bills hike
6 months, 3 weeks ago

Thames Water proposes huge new bills hike

The Independent  

Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. In its response to Ofwat’s draft determination on water companies’ …

Water suppliers brace for £2bn in sewage fines
7 months ago

Water suppliers brace for £2bn in sewage fines

The Telegraph  

Britain’s troubled water sector is facing the threat of £2bn in penalties over the next five years, as regulator Ofwat attempts to crack down on sewage failings. A report by the ratings agency Moody’s has predicted that tougher rules on pollution will spark a flood of regulatory fines, burdening many businesses already struggling to stay afloat. In Moody’s latest assessment …

Every single water company in England and Wales now facing huge sewage investigation by regulator
7 months, 1 week ago

Every single water company in England and Wales now facing huge sewage investigation by regulator

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Britain’s water industry regulator is …

Water customers to receive up to £2k compensation payments for serious service failures
7 months, 1 week ago

Water customers to receive up to £2k compensation payments for serious service failures

The Independent  

Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Water customers will start receiving higher rates of compensation for …

UK Water Companies Told to Double Compensation for Outages
7 months, 1 week ago

UK Water Companies Told to Double Compensation for Outages

Live Mint  

-- Water companies in England and Wales will have to double their compensation to customers for providing poor service, a government ministry proposed, following a series of outages and a parasite outbreak. Reimbursements to households for outages would rise to £50, with an additional £50 for every subsequent 12-hour period that water isn’t restored, according to the Department for Environment, …

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