REG - Water Services Auth - Ofwat opens enforcement cases against 4 companies

Severn TrentAnnouncement

16/07/2024 08:15

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RNS Number : 5595W  Water Services Regulation Authority  16 July 2024

Press Notice

 

Ofwat announces enforcement cases against four more companies in wastewater
treatment investigation

 

Ofwat has today announced that it is opening enforcement cases into four more
water and wastewater companies as part of its ongoing investigation into how
companies manage their wastewater treatment works and networks.

 

Ofwat has served formal notices on Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water, Hafren Dyfrdwy,
Severn Trent and United Utilities to gather evidence for the investigation.
The opening of these enforcement cases follows detailed analysis of
information on companies' environmental performance and data about how often
these companies spill from storm overflows. This has heightened Ofwat's
concerns that these companies may not be fulfilling their obligations to
protect the environment and minimise pollution.

 

Opening these four new cases means that Ofwat now has enforcement activities
underway against all 11 water and wastewater companies in England and Wales in
relation to the operation of their wastewater businesses.

 

Enforcement cases against Anglian Water, Northumbrian Water, South West Water,
Thames Water, Wessex Water, and Yorkshire Water were previously announced in
2022 with extensive investigations still ongoing. Southern Water remains
subject to enforcement monitoring following a previous enforcement case in
2019.

 

While Ofwat has concerns which it must investigate, opening an enforcement
case does not automatically imply the company has breached their legal
obligations. Once Ofwat has fully investigated, it will publish details of its
findings and, where appropriate, any proposed action to remedy any identified
breaches.

 

David Black, Ofwat Chief Executive, said: "The fact that Ofwat now has
enforcement cases with all 11 of the wastewater companies in England and Wales
demonstrates how concerned we are about the sector's environmental
performance. Where we find that companies have breached their obligations, we
will continue to act - over recent years, we have imposed penalties and
payments of over £300 million on water and wastewater companies.

 

"This is the largest and most complex investigation Ofwat has undertaken.
However, Ofwat is committed to concluding these cases as quickly as possible,
so that the sector can focus on delivering the £88bn expenditure PR24 will
unlock to deliver cleaner rivers and seas. As part of this package of
investment £10bn is ear marked to tackle storm overflows with a target to
reduce spills from storm overflows by 44%.

 

Severn Trent has recently announced an ambitious programme to significantly
reduce use of storm overflow which Ofwat welcomes. The investigation will
consider both current and past performance and reflect on the steps companies
are now taking in deciding if and what action is needed.

 

ENDS

 

Notes to editors

 

·    Please find further information on Ofwat's investigation into sewage
and wastewater treatment works, including the latest updates, here:
Investigation into sewage treatment works - Ofwat
(https://www.ofwat.gov.uk/investigation-into-sewage-treatment-works/)

·    The Environment Agency is carrying out a parallel investigation into
companies' compliance with environmental permits.

·    Ofwat's enforcement powers can see the regulator fine companies up to
10% of their relevant annual turnover.

·    Ofwat continues to monitor steps Southern Water is taking to secure
its compliance via the package of commitments it made following Ofwat's
enforcement action in 2019
(https://www.ofwat.gov.uk/pn-21-19-ofwat-confirms-southern-water-will-pay-126m-following-investigation/)
.

 

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