The UK government will introduce new legislation on Thursday aimed at curbing water pollution by imposing stricter penalties, including potential imprisonment for
water company executives, and granting additional regulatory powers to address sewage leaks into rivers and seas.
Sewage spills in the UK reached record levels in 2023, fueling public frustration over the polluted state of rivers and oceans, with private water companies like Thames Water— the country’s largest supplier—facing mounting criticism.
In response, the government, elected in July, has committed to holding the water industry accountable by empowering regulators to enforce improvements, including the ability to withhold executive bonuses when companies fail to meet environmental standards.
"This bill marks a significant step forward in our efforts to fix the broken water system," said Environment Minister Steve Reed. "Under this government, water executives will no longer profit while polluting our waterways."
Public outcry has grown as water company executives, such as Thames Water’s CEO Chris Weston, have received sizable bonuses despite the increasing sewage spills. Weston was awarded a £195,000 bonus for just three months' work earlier this year, which has intensified scrutiny of the industry.
The new legislation will also address the aging sewage infrastructure, which water companies argue requires significant upgrades due to population growth and climate change. The government and water regulator Ofwat are currently debating the level of investment required and whether the cost should result in higher consumer bills.
Key provisions of the proposed legislation include expanding the Environment Agency’s ability to bring criminal charges against company executives, automatic fines for pollution offenses, and mandatory independent monitoring of all sewage outlets. Water companies will also be required to publish annual pollution reduction plans.
The government aims to balance the need for environmental protection with infrastructure improvements, ensuring that companies are held accountable for their role in protecting the UK’s waterways. Photo by Jim Linwood, Wikimedia commons.