Ofwat opens cases against Severn Trent and three others, days after they faced criticism over huge bill rises

The water regulator is taking action against four more water companies, including Severn Trent and United Utilities, meaning every wastewater company in England and Wales is under investigation over sewage spills.

Ofwat said it had served formal notices on Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water, Hafren Dyfrdwy, Severn Trent and United Utilities, asking them to provide evidence for its investigation into companies’ wastewater management in England and Wales.

The regulator has looked at the companies’ environmental performance and data about how often they spill from storm overflows. It said this had heightened its “concerns that these companies may not be fulfilling their obligations to protect the environment and minimise pollution”.

  • AutoTL;DRBEnglish
    1•3 months ago

    This is the best summary I could come up with:

    Ofwat said it had served formal notices on Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water, Hafren Dyfrdwy, Severn Trent and United Utilities, asking them to provide evidence for its investigation into companies’ wastewater management in England and Wales.

    This means Ofwat is taking enforcement action against all 11 water and wastewater companies in England and Wales over sewage pollution.

    Along with the Environment Agency, the regulator is investigating water companies over suspicions of widespread illegal sewage discharges across the network from thousands of treatment plants.

    In March, analysis of the latest data showed that more than 2,000 overflows owned by a number of companies are discharging raw sewage into rivers and seas.

    Shares for Severn Trent and United Utilities, which are listed on the stock market, fell by about 3% after the regulator’s announcement.

    Last week, Ofwat was criticised for letting water companies put up bills by an average 21%, or £94, over five years to fund improvements in environmental standards, at a time when customers have endured poor service, sewage dumping and leaks.

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