Anglian Water Services Ltd has been ordered to pay over £50,000 following a prosecution by the Environment Agency for failing to comply with a requirement to
provide records.
The penalty includes a £25,000 fine, a £190 victim surcharge, and £25,000 in costs. The sentencing took place today (5 July 2024) at Peterborough Magistrates’ Court after the company was convicted on 24 May 2024.
This case marks the first conviction of its kind against a water company by the Environment Agency, setting a significant precedent for the regulation of non-compliant firms.
The investigation began when the Environment Agency served several statutory requirements for records on Anglian Water Services Ltd. The company was found guilty of failing, without reasonable excuse, to respond to one of these notices, issued between January 2022 and January 2023.
Anglian Water Services Ltd had pleaded not guilty, claiming a reasonable excuse for their non-compliance. However, District Judge Kenneth Sheraton rejected their defense after reviewing the evidence.
This prosecution is part of a broader investigation involving all ten English water companies, examining potential non-compliance with environmental permit conditions at over 2,000 wastewater treatment works.
The Environment Agency hopes that today’s ruling will compel water companies to comply with regulations and help reduce environmental pollution.