Two major UK water companies to pay out £86m over wastewater spills
‘Range of failures’ found in Ofwat probe of water companies
- Two major UK water companies, Anglian Water and South West Water, are facing penalties exceeding £86 million from the water regulator Ofwat.
- Anglian Water and its shareholders will pay £62.8 million, while South West Water and its shareholders will pay £24 million.
- The penalties stem from the companies' failures to adequately operate, maintain, and upgrade their wastewater operations and sewage networks, leading to excessive spills from storm overflows.
- Ofwat's investigations found “a range of failures”, including inadequate processes and oversight by senior management to ensure assets met legal requirements.
- Both companies have accepted their wrongdoing and are now focusing on rectifying the issues and ensuring compliance.