New government plan to stop sewage spills branded ‘joke’ and ‘licence to pollute’
2 years, 3 months ago

New government plan to stop sewage spills branded ‘joke’ and ‘licence to pollute’

The Independent  

The Tory government’s new plan to tackle Britain’s sewage spill crisis with targets for water companies to make improvements by 2035 has been branded a “cruel joke” and a “licence to pollute”. The government claimed to be introducing the “strictest targets ever”, but Labour branded the plan weak and said it would not stop water companies treating Britain’s beaches and rivers like “an open sewer”. He added: “By the time these flimsy targets come into effect, our beaches would have been pumped full of disgusting sewage, more otters will be poisoned and our children will still be swimming in dangerous water.” The plan also means that taxpayers’ will largely pay for the new infrastructure improvements, say the Lib Dems – despite soaring bonuses for water company bosses in recent years. Jim McMahon, shadow environment secretary, said: “This document is neither a plan, nor does it eliminate sewage dumping into our natural environment.” He added: “Britain deserves better than a zombie Tory government that is happy for our country to be treated as an open sewer.” The government plan published on Friday imposed a new target on sewage discharges – regardless of location – by 2050.

Water Companies Plan Britain Defra Water Companies Sewage Sewage Spills  water  defra  beaches  stop  company  plan  sewage  britains  licence  companies  targets  branded  pollute  spills  britain  joke

History of this topic

Brits get soaked again! Check how much YOUR water bill is going up by after watchdog signs off massive hikes... with some places facing 53% rise PLUS inflation
5 days, 5 hours ago

Brits get soaked again! Check how much YOUR water bill is going up by after watchdog signs off massive hikes... with some places facing 53% rise PLUS inflation

Daily Mail  

Water bosses were today given the green light for huge bill hikes averaging 36 per cent over the next five years. Southern Water customers are being hit hardest with bills going up 53 per cent over the period - and inflation projected to add another 10 per cent. The water firms provide supplies to England and Wales The proposed bill …

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

Water Pollution Protests in London: A Call for Clean Water and Environmental Justice
1 month, 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 …

Polluting water companies to face lighter punishments despite public outrage
1 month, 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 companies push for higher bills again as customers face up to 84% hike
2 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
2 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 …

Water companies 'lied over sewage discharges'
2 months, 4 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
3 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 …

Government says it will not ‘water down’ winter fuel payment squeeze
3 months, 1 week ago

Government says it will not ‘water down’ winter fuel payment squeeze

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 Sir Keir Starmer and Rachel …

The UK says water bosses could face prison under plans to clean up sewage-clogged rivers
3 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
3 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?
3 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
3 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
4 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 …

British water firms fined for sewage pollution
4 months, 2 weeks ago

British water firms fined for sewage pollution

China Daily  

A van for the water treatment company Thames Water, is driven along a residential street in Guildford, southern England, Aug 6, 2024. Three major water utility companies in the United Kingdom face 168 million pounds in fines for numerous illegal sewage releases into rivers and coastal waters. Ofwat stated that the water companies "failed to ensure that discharges of untreated …

Mapped: Sewage in English rivers as water companies face £168m in combined fines
4 months, 2 weeks ago

Mapped: Sewage in English rivers as water companies face £168m in combined fines

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. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Water regulator Ofwat …

Sewage spills are STILL rising in the UK with companies failing to get crisis under control, Environment Agency warns in damning report
5 months ago

Sewage spills are STILL rising in the UK with companies failing to get crisis under control, Environment Agency warns in damning report

Daily Mail  

Sewage spills are still rising in the UK with water companies failing to get the crisis under control, the Environment Agency has warned in a damning report The agency said there were 47 serious pollution incidents last year – up from 44 in 2022. Shocking photos from August 2022 showed how Lake Windermere in the Lake District turned bright green …

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
5 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 …

New regulations as Labour tries to answer public anger over water companies
5 months ago

New regulations as Labour tries to answer public anger over water companies

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 Government is bringing in …

Fury as water bills are set to rise by £94 over next five years as regulator allow firms to hike prices by 21 per cent - so how much is your bill going up by?
5 months, 1 week ago

Fury as water bills are set to rise by £94 over next five years as regulator allow firms to hike prices by 21 per cent - so how much is your bill going up by?

Daily Mail  

In 2023, there 3.6 million hours of sewage spills in England's rivers and seas Customers have been left outraged after water bill hikes were revealed today with prices set to soar by £94 in five years. Regulator Ofwat has allowed firms to increase bills by 21 per cent, amid public outrage over polluted water ways and 3.6 million hours worth …

Thames Water could dump more sewage in rivers under ‘recovery regime’
6 months, 3 weeks ago

Thames Water could dump more sewage in rivers under ‘recovery regime’

The Telegraph  

Thames Water and other struggling utility companies will be allowed to release more sewage into Britain’s rivers under controversial plans being drawn up by regulators. Ofwat, the industry watchdog, is reportedly considering a new “recovery regime” for troubled water suppliers, similar to the special measures system imposed on failing schools. It comes ahead of the summer period, when water companies …

Water investors have withdrawn billions from private companies, analyst claims
7 months ago

Water investors have withdrawn billions from private companies, analyst claims

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 Shareholders in some of the UK’s largest water companies have …

Revealed: Interactive map shows where overloaded sewage pipes could burst again because water companies say it is 'not cost beneficial' to upgrade - but is YOUR home at risk?
7 months ago

Revealed: Interactive map shows where overloaded sewage pipes could burst again because water companies say it is 'not cost beneficial' to upgrade - but is YOUR home at risk?

Daily Mail  

Britain's greatest beauty spots and most stunning waterways are being continually polluted by water companies who say it is 'not cost beneficial' to upgrade the network to prevent leakage in half of all cases, MailOnline can reveal. Data analysis by MailOnline shows water firms decided there was 'no cost beneficial solution' to prevent 280 discharge sites in England that, due …

Troubled water company warns of 44% increase in bills
8 months ago

Troubled water company warns of 44% increase in bills

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. Thames Water, which is battling to survive amid a funding …

Fears that customers' Thames Water bills could surge by 44 percent as troubled water company admits it needs £1.1billion more than it thought to fix sewage spills and leaks
8 months ago

Fears that customers' Thames Water bills could surge by 44 percent as troubled water company admits it needs £1.1billion more than it thought to fix sewage spills and leaks

Daily Mail  

There are fears that customers' Thames Water bills could surge by 44 per cent as the troubled water company unveiled new plans to boost spending. The utility giant - Britain's biggest water firm, with 16 million customers in London and the Thames Valley region - said its new business plan for the five years to 2030 would see spending rise …

Thames Water crisis prompts warning that fines could trigger collapse
10 months ago

Thames Water crisis prompts warning that fines could trigger collapse

The Telegraph  

Water suppliers such as Thames Water are at risk of collapsing into administration if they are fined for bad behaviour, MPs have warned, potentially landing taxpayers with a multi-billion pound bailout bill. The Telegraph revealed on Friday that Whitehall officials are drawing up contingency plans to prepare for the possible collapse of Britain’s largest supplier, which serves 15 million customers …

Ban water company chief executive bonuses, Labour to tell Commons
1 year ago

Ban water company chief executive bonuses, Labour to tell Commons

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. Labour will strengthen regulation to make sure every single …

RAW deal! Hundreds of customers are refusing to pay their water bills over the billions of litres of sewage dumped in England's seas and rivers
1 year, 1 month ago

RAW deal! Hundreds of customers are refusing to pay their water bills over the billions of litres of sewage dumped in England's seas and rivers

Daily Mail  

Some households are also considering legal action after funding was secured Thousands believed to have joined in 10 of the 11 wastewater company areas A growing number of people across England are refusing to pay their water bills in protest at sewage spills by major suppliers. The action group now believe their are thousands of customers refusing to pay for …

Labour would put water industry under special measures to ‘clean up toxic mess’
1 year, 2 months ago

Labour would put water industry under special measures to ‘clean up toxic mess’

The Independent  

Sign up to the Independent Climate email for the latest advice on saving the planet Get our free Climate email Get our free Climate email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy The water industry will be put “under special measures” and forced to “clean up their …

Inside the water industry’s £96bn plan to clean up Britain’s rivers
1 year, 2 months ago

Inside the water industry’s £96bn plan to clean up Britain’s rivers

The Telegraph  

In the coming weeks, water company executives will face questions from the public in a fresh series of “your water, your say” meetings. At previous sessions this year, conducted via video conference, bosses from Thames Water, South West Water, United Utilities and others were asked to explain their poor record tackling leaks and river pollution. Under plans to clean up …

Water bills will rise by 35pc in biggest hike ever to fix sewage crisis
1 year, 2 months ago

Water bills will rise by 35pc in biggest hike ever to fix sewage crisis

The Telegraph  

Household water bills will rise more than £150 a year as the industry brings in major new investment to fix the sewage crisis. “Water companies are seeking regulatory approval to reduce overflow spills into rivers and seas as fast as possible and to doubling the number of households receiving support to pay their bills. Approving the plans is necessary so …

Government has shown lack of leadership in regulating water industry, peers say
1 year, 3 months ago

Government has shown lack of leadership in regulating water industry, peers say

The Independent  

Sign up to the Independent Climate email for the latest advice on saving the planet Get our free Climate email Get our free Climate email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy The Government has shown a “lack of leadership and deep-rooted complacency” in regulating the water …

Ban sewage discharges over Bank Holiday weekend – Lib Dems
1 year, 4 months ago

Ban sewage discharges over Bank Holiday weekend – Lib Dems

The Independent  

Sign up to the Independent Climate email for the latest advice on saving the planet Get our free Climate email Get our free Climate email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy The Environment Secretary should ban water companies from discharging sewage on popular beaches over the …

Thames Water demonstrates that privatisation is not fit for purpose
1 year, 5 months ago

Thames Water demonstrates that privatisation is not fit for purpose

The Independent  

Environmental quality and resilience minister Rebecca Pow states that “the government is confident that Ofwat, as the economic regulator for the water industry, is working with any company that is facing financial distress”. The Independent’s informative article by Sean O’Grady makes the observation that “privatisation was a great symbol of Thatcherism and the Conservative belief in the ability of free …

Protesters across the UK call for an end to sewage spills in Britain's waterways in 'paddle outs'
1 year, 7 months ago

Protesters across the UK call for an end to sewage spills in Britain's waterways in 'paddle outs'

Daily Mail  

The campaign claims that more than 300,000 sewage spills took place in 2022 Surfer's Against Sewage said it was growing 'sick and tired' of water pollution Protestors flocked to 12 UK bathing spots today to call for an end to sewage spills Protestors flocked to beaches across the UK today as they called for an end to devastating sewage spills. …

Anglian Water customers could face £91 annual bill increase
1 year, 7 months ago

Anglian Water customers could face £91 annual bill increase

The Independent  

Sign up to the Independent Climate email for the latest advice on saving the planet Get our free Climate email Get our free Climate email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Anglian Water customers could face an increase on their bills of £91 a year – …

Labour to push Commons vote on opposition bill to end sewage dumping
1 year, 7 months ago

Labour to push Commons vote on opposition bill to end sewage dumping

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 Tory MPs have been told they face “judgment day” as Labour …

Tories accused of ‘hollow’ promises on sewage as beach damage revealed
1 year, 8 months ago

Tories accused of ‘hollow’ promises on sewage as beach damage revealed

The Independent  

Rishi Sunak’s government is setting out a new clean water plan with a promise of stronger regulation and tougher enforcement for those who pollute rivers, lakes and beaches. Environment secretary Therese Coffey – who has said companies could face unlimited penalties for dumping raw sewage – said over £1.6bn of investment to boost water quality would be brought forward. It …

Water companies face unlimited fines in crackdown on sewage spills
1 year, 8 months ago

Water companies face unlimited fines in crackdown on sewage spills

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. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Water companies face …

Labour brands Government’s water company measures ‘flimsy’
1 year, 8 months ago

Labour brands Government’s water company measures ‘flimsy’

The Independent  

Sign up to the Independent Climate email for the latest advice on saving the planet Get our free Climate email Get our free Climate email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Labour has dismissed Government plans that could see water companies facing unlimited fines and penalties …

Fines for polluting water companies to rise 1,000-fold to £250m under plans to clean up rivers and seas, government says
2 years, 2 months ago

Fines for polluting water companies to rise 1,000-fold to £250m under plans to clean up rivers and seas, government says

The Independent  

Sign up to the Independent Climate email for the latest advice on saving the planet Get our free Climate email Get our free Climate email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy The new environment secretary, Ranil Jayawardena, has said the government will act to clean up …

Britishers Urged to Stay Away from Beaches as Sewage Spills onto English Channel, North Sea
2 years, 3 months ago

Britishers Urged to Stay Away from Beaches as Sewage Spills onto English Channel, North Sea

News 18  

EU lawmakers have a new, post-Brexit reason to be annoyed with the UK: British sewage overflows seeping into the English Channel and the North Sea. “The English Channel and the North Sea are not dumping grounds,” said Stephanie Yon-Courtin, a member of the European Parliament’s fishing committee and a local lawmaker in Normandy. “We have already made it law for …

British sewage overflows stink up relations across Channel
2 years, 3 months ago

British sewage overflows stink up relations across Channel

Associated Press  

PARIS — EU lawmakers have a new, post-Brexit reason to be annoyed with the U.K.: British sewage overflows seeping into the English Channel and the North Sea. The problem is a long-running issue in Britain, where regulators are investigating possible permit violations by six major water companies and environmental groups allege the firms have failed to make needed repairs. “We …

PM’s father Stanley Johnson blames government for sewage being pumped into British waterways
2 years, 4 months ago

PM’s father Stanley Johnson blames government for sewage being pumped into British waterways

The Independent  

Sign up to our free Brexit and beyond email for the latest headlines on what Brexit is meaning for the UK Sign up to our Brexit email for the latest insight Sign up to our Brexit email for the latest insight SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Speaking to LBC …

Wastewater firms miss targets for tackling pollution or sewage floods
2 years, 4 months ago

Wastewater firms miss targets for tackling pollution or sewage floods

The Independent  

Sign up to the Independent Climate email for the latest advice on saving the planet Get our free Climate email Get our free Climate email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. “No amount of financial penalties can undo the damage caused by wastewater companies polluting the environment or ease the …

Lib Dems urge government to declare national drought emergency as water supplies dwindle
2 years, 4 months ago

Lib Dems urge government to declare national drought emergency as water supplies dwindle

The Independent  

Sign up to the Independent Climate email for the latest advice on saving the planet Get our free Climate email Get our free Climate email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy The government should declare a national drought emergency and hold weekly televised press conferences to …

Thames Water taps investors for cash as it boosts overhaul plans
2 years, 5 months ago

Thames Water taps investors for cash as it boosts overhaul plans

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 making a …

Sewage ‘scandal’ means councils must be able to fine water companies, say Lib Dems
2 years, 5 months ago

Sewage ‘scandal’ means councils must be able to fine water companies, say Lib Dems

The Independent  

Sign up to the Independent Climate email for the latest advice on saving the planet Get our free Climate email Get our free Climate email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Local authorities should be given the power to fine the water companies dumping enormous amounts …

Families face extra £60 a year on their bills to fix leaky sewers
2 years, 8 months ago

Families face extra £60 a year on their bills to fix leaky sewers

Daily Mail  

Households will have to pay an extra £60 a year on water bills to pay to fix Britain’s creaking Victorian sewage system – despite water company bosses pocketing millions each year. Water companies dumped sewage more than 370,000 times into rivers last year for a duration of a staggering 2.6million hours. Today, we are setting specific targets to ensure that …

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