CCW statement on wastewater treatment works investigation

The Consumer Council for Water (CCW) says an investigation into the management of wastewater treatment plants has cast doubt over whether some sewerage companies are acting responsibly in protecting the environment.

CCW has responded to the latest update from Ofwat into its investigation opens in new window with the regulator confirming it is opening enforcement cases into five sewerage companies   –  Anglian Water, Northumbrian Water, Thames Water, Wessex Water and Yorkshire Water.

These companies have been served with formal notices to gather more information ahead of any potential action from Ofwat. It comes after the regulator examined information that sewerage companies were asked to submit to it in late December about how many of their sewage treatment works might not be meeting the requirements in their environmental permits, and what companies were doing to resolve it.

Emma Clancy, Chief Executive of the Consumer Council for Water (CCW), said:

People expect their sewerage company to act responsibly in protecting the environment but this investigation has raised serious questions as to whether some companies have failed to do that. These companies need to act urgently to ensure they are complying with their responsibilities and fix any harm that might have been caused. A legacy of this investigation has to be far greater transparency and higher standards of environmental performance from sewerage companies, which need to rebuild trust with their communities. We want everyone to value water but people need to see compelling evidence that sewerage companies can be trusted to play their part in looking after our water environment.