New government action has achieved a record of 81 criminal investigations into water companies, increasing the number of investigations by 145 per cent since the Labour government was elected in July last year.
Investigations specifically into sewage pollution has increased nearly 400 per cent in the same time period. The Environment Agency announced earlier this year water companies released sewage into rivers and seas for a record of 3.61 million hours in 2024.
The largest criminal action against water companies in history could see water bosses jailed up to five years or companies facing fines of hundreds of millions of pounds. Water executives who cover up or hide illegal sewage spills could be locked up for up to two years, under new government measures.
Environment secretary Steve Reed pointed out: “Water companies have too often gone unpunished as they pump record levels of sewage into our waterways. No more.
“A record number of criminal investigations have been launched into law-breaking water companies – which could see bosses behind bars.
“With this government, water companies who break the law will finally be punished for their disgraceful behaviour so we can clean up our rivers, lakes and seas for good.
So far 81 investigations have been launched, with the largest targeting Thames Water (31) and their sewage dumping malpractice, as well as Anglian Water (22) after it’s contamination of drinking water.
| Water Company | Investigations (July 2024-March 2025) |
| Anglian Water | 22 |
| Northumbrian Water | 1 |
| Severn Trent Water | 7 |
| South West Water | 4 |
| Southern Water | 5 |
| Thames Water | 31 |
| United Utilities | 7 |
| Yorkshire Water | 4 |
The measure reflects a key pledge of Labour’s 2024 manifesto to ‘Make Britain a clean energy superpower’, which promised to force water companies to clean up rivers.
Philip Duffy, the Chief Executive of the Environment Agency highlighted: “This milestone is testament to our determination to hold water companies to account and achieve a cleaner water environment.
Our message to the industry is clear: we expect full compliance throughout the water system, and we will not hesitate to take robust enforcement action where we identify serious breaches.
This is just the beginning – we are on track to deliver 10,000 inspections next year, using our tougher powers gained through the Water (Special Measures) Act alongside more officers and upgraded digital tools to drive better performance across the water sector.”
The Environment Agency has hired 380 additional regulatory staff to carry out inspections and enforcement activity, alongside new powers given by the governments Special Measures Act.
The act also hopes to encourage water bosses to upgrade their infrastructure and spend a record £104 billion to cut sewage discharges in half over five years, in search for a more clean system.
Seven cases against water companies are heading to the courtrooms across the next few months, with others to follow under this government crackdown.
Featured image via Yau Ming Low / Shutterstock.
