Polluting water bosses now face up to two years in jail

Water company bosses who cover up illegal sewage spills could face up to two years in prison as pollution levels reach a decadehigh in the UK’s rivers and seas.

- HOLLY EVANS HENRY DURAND

Under the government’s landmark Water Act, executives who fail to meet the Environment Agency’s standards to protect the environment will also be banned from receiving their bonuses.

Despite widespread spills of raw sewage into waterways, no prison sentences have been handed to water executives since companies were privatised.

The new sentencing powers come after the charity Surfers Against Sewage received 1,853 sickness reports through its service app last year; hundreds were diagnosed with gastroenteritis and serious bacterial infections linked to pollution.

Multiple water companies have previously obstructed investigations and failed to hand over evidence related to spills, preventing crackdowns on any law-breaking.

Environment secretary Steve Reed said: “Bosses must face consequences if they commit crimes. There must be accountability.

“From today, there will be no more hiding places. As part of the Plan for Change, water companies must now focus on cleaning up our rivers, lakes and seas for good.”

England’s biggest water company, Thames Water, faces debts of £19bn and was responsible for almost 300,000 hours of raw sewage being pumped into waterways in 2024.