Water firm bosses face jail for masking up unlawful sewage spills | Politics | News | EUROtoday

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Water firm bosses withstand two years in jail in the event that they cowl up unlawful sewage spills below new legal guidelines coming into drive right this moment. The Environment Department (Defra) stated no jail sentences have been handed to water firm executives since privatisation regardless of widespread unlawful sewage discharges, and the more durable penalties have been important as a result of some companies have obstructed investigations.

Environment Secretary Steve Reed stated: “Bosses must face consequences if they commit crimes. There must be accountability. “From today, there will be no more hiding places.”

He added: “As part of the Plan for Change, water companies must now focus on cleaning up our rivers, lakes and seas for good.”

The transfer, a part of the Water (Special Measures) Act 2025, comes within the face of widespread public fury over the degraded state of the nation’s rivers, lakes and coastal waters and at a scarcity of funding in water infrastructure, rising payments, excessive dividends and debt and govt pay and bonuses.

The Government has additionally launched an Independent Water Commission, which is widespread water sector reform.

Campaigners have known as for wide-ranging measures, from overhauling regulators to nationalising water corporations, whereas the Office for Environmental Protection (OEP) watchdog is investigating whether or not the Government and regulators did not adjust to key legal guidelines on water high quality.

Defra argues that the brand new legal guidelines introduced in to imprison water firm executives will act as a robust deterrent.

Until now, regulators have confronted obstruction from corporations of their efforts to assemble proof for prosecutions on unlawful sewage spills.

Despite obstruction being a felony offence, solely three water firm officers have been prosecuted by the Environment Agency with out enchantment, and the utmost punishment was a tremendous – though no fines have been issued.

Philip Duffy, Chief Executive of the Environment Agency stated: “The Water (Special Measures) Act was a crucial step in making sure water companies take full responsibility for their impact on the environment.

“The tougher powers we have gained though this legislation will allow us, as the regulator, to close the justice gap, deliver swifter enforcement action and ultimately deter illegal activity.

“Alongside this, we’re modernising and expanding our approach to water company inspections – and it’s working. More people, powers, better data and inspections are yielding vital evidence so that we can reduce sewage pollution, hold water companies to account and protect the environment.”

https://www.express.co.uk/news/politics/2046166/water-company-bosses-face-prison