Latest reports show that two of England’s biggest water firms dumped raw sewage into rivers across the country in suspected illegal breaches of their permits, despite being given the highest possible rating by the regulator for their environmental performance.
Severn Trent Water and United Utilities were responsible for 1,374 raw sewage spills from sewage treatment works in apparent breaches of permits over a two-year period in more than 80 watercourses, according to an analysis of previously unpublished operational data. It is alleged the suspected illegal discharges were during dry weather or at times when the plants were not at operating capacity.
The two firms were both given the four-star rating by the Environment Agency this year for their performance in 2023. Over the past five years, the firms have paid out a combined £2.8bn in dividends to shareholders and millions of pounds in bonuses to bosses, with both repeatedly citing their top ratings from the regulator.
In response to the revelations, Emma Hardy, the water minister, said: “For too long, water companies have pumped record levels of sewage into our rivers, lakes and seas. This government will never let this happen again.”
Ashley Smith, founder of the campaign group Windrush Against Sewage Pollution (Wasp), which conducted the studies, said it was shocking the two firms had been given the top rating while apparently “permitting illegal discharges on a massive scale”.
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He said: “These environmental performance assessments lie at the heart of the deceit that has allowed the privatised water industry to pay huge dividends and bonuses.
“They have been a tick box exercise, providing a cover for profiteering and regulatory failure. It is a national disgrace.” The water firms say the findings are based on “assumptions” and consider them unreliable.
The Environment Agency provides an annual assessment of the environmental performance of the nine water and sewerage companies operating in England. Severn Trent has been given the highest rating five years in a row. United Utilities was given the top rating for the years 2020, 2021 and 2023.
In response to the new findings, the agency said a four-star rating does not mean a firm is a “perfect performer”. It also said it was consulting on changes to the environmental performance assessments.
An agency spokesperson said: “Overall water company performance, including for Severn Trent and United Utilities, isn’t where it needs to be and a major area for company improvement is in stopping unacceptable ‘dry day spills’”.
Water firms have faced public fury after it was first revealed by the Guardian in July 2020 that they had discharged raw sewage into England’s rivers on more than 200,000 occasions in just one year.
Story was adapted from the Guardian.
