A record number of prosecutions are being pursued in the latest chapter of Britain’s ongoing sewage saga.
The 81 investigations, more than at any other point in history, have resulted from a record number of site attendances and spot checks by the Environment Agency. Overall, this represents a 145% rise in criminal proceedings against suppliers.
Inspections by authorities have also rocketed by 400% since July 2024, while record spending now sees companies paying out £104billion to try and reduce discharges over the last five years.
Serious offences, such as sewage spills, automatically trigger criminal investigations which could result in prosecutions for the chiefs of water companies. According to an Environment Agency spokesperson, a new zero tolerance approach is also now being taken to result minor issues, such as clogged pipes.
“This milestone is testament to our determination to hold water companies to account and achieve a cleaner water environment.
‘Our message to the industry is clear: we expect full compliance throughout the water system, and we will not hesitate to take robust enforcement action where we identify serious breaches,’ said Philip Duffy, Chief Executive of the Environment Agency.
‘This is just the beginning – we are on track to deliver 10,000 inspections next year, using our tougher powers gained through the Water (Special Measures) Act alongside more officers and upgraded digital tools to drive better performance across the water sector,’ he continued.
Under Labour, new powers have now been introduced through the landmark Water (Special Measures) Act 2025, which means executives at water suppliers found covering up illegal spillages can face two years in jail. More than 2,000 sewage works are also being investigated concurrently, setting another record for action to tackle non-compliance.
Despite claims of a ‘government crackdown’, though, the number of spillages, discharge and overflow events continues to climb. Since Labour took power last summer, there have been more incidents recorded, although this is partly due to closer scrutiny and checks as oppose to a real terms rise.
Image: Bermix Studio / Unsplash
More on waste, recycling and pollution:
More British pollution woes over food, water, soil and air microplastics