HomeEnvironmentWater company told to fix 400 problems after damning checks

Water company told to fix 400 problems after damning checks

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The water supplier has received more than 400 mandatory corrective actions following official evaluations.

The Environment Agency performed 730 examinations of the supplier’s wastewater sites over the past twelve months, discovering what it termed inadequate maintenance.

The regulator found widespread problems comprising poorly kept screening machinery and substandard management of storm tank installations.

The most common issue identified involved failures regarding discharge sampling and discharge points, which were either located in inaccessible locations or employees did not know where they were positioned.

The supplier has been ordered to carry out over 400 measures to satisfy Environment Agency permit requirements and prevent further enforcement action.

Of the sites reviewed, 68 per cent were discovered to be operating within their permit conditions.

The supplier indicated that its improvement programme introduced in April 2023 would deliver measurable outcomes by spring 2025 and that the vast majority of the 400 required actions relate to relatively minor breaches.

It highlighted several improvements, including a 30 per cent reduction in overall pollution, a 40 per cent decrease in internal sewer flooding, and an 18.5 per cent fall in water leakage.

The supplier’s drinking water quality compliance score has additionally climbed by 40 per cent.

Dawn Theaker, the Environment Agency’s water industry regulation manager, said inspectors are thoroughly checking hundreds of sites, each forming an essential part of the water and sewage infrastructure used by the public.

These reviews identify issues the supplier must resolve, as environmental harm results when equipment fails. Inspectors will continue returning to locations until problems are fixed and will maintain their focus on upholding required standards.

Sewage releases into coastal zones from residential properties situated just 100 metres from the shoreline

The supplier obtained permission to increase customer charges following an appeal

The supplier ranks among the highest water industry users of debt recovery services

Helen Wakeham, the Environment Agency’s water director, said in their regulatory function, the organisation is modernising operations through better data, its largest-ever enforcement workforce, and increased powers to carry out duties effectively.

Inspections function as a vital preventive measure, with national teams issuing over 3,000 notices to water companies, including requirements to repair sewage treatment works and modernise their infrastructure.

Together, these actions will drive significant performance enhancements, hold serial offenders to account, and ultimately produce a cleaner water environment.

A company spokesperson said they remain dedicated to openness and work closely with the Environment Agency and local representatives, including MPs, to achieve the standards customers and communities expect.

This involves taking prompt action whenever problems emerge.

Pollution incidents have fallen by 30 per cent since 2023, showing the real progress being made in environmental performance.

The supplier is investing more than £8.5 billion between 2025 and 2030 to improve infrastructure for customers and safeguard the environment.

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