Thames Water hit with £123m fine over wastewater breaches

THAMES Water is set to be hit with a record £123m fine by the water regulator for breaches linked to its wastewater operations and dividend distributions.

- GUY TAYLOR

Ofwat reached a final verdict on Tuesday after conducting two of its “biggest and most complex” probes into the troubled water company’s practices.

The watchdog has imposed a £104.5m penalty on Thames Water for a “significant” violation of its legal duties concerning wastewater, which resulted in an “unacceptable impact on the environment and customers,” according to Ofwat.

An additional sum of £18.2m will be levied against the firm for contravening regulations around dividend payments.

Ofwat has clarified that the fine will be borne entirely by Thames Water and its shareholders, not by its customers.