New laws to jail water executives for sewage cover-ups

By Chloe Jones, Writer at Barbour EHS

The UK Government is introducing new legislation aimed at holding water company executives accountable for sewage pollution. Under the Water (Special Measures) Bill , water bosses could face jail time for covering up incidents of sewage dumping.

Environment Secretary, George Eustice, stated, “We are determined to hold those responsible for pollution to account and ensure our rivers and seas are protected.”

The proposed legislation is a response to public outrage over the frequent discharge of untreated sewage into rivers and seas. It aims to ensure that executives who obstruct investigations or fail to cooperate with regulators can be imprisoned.

Additionally, the law will impose stricter penalties on water companies that fail to meet environmental standards. Executives could also face bans on receiving bonuses if their companies do not comply with the new requirements.

The legislation will apply in England and Wales, giving regulators more power to tackle pollution and enforce penalties.

The Environment Agency will be granted enhanced authority to conduct surprise inspections and impose fines.

Steve Reed, Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, highlighted the historical context of water pollution, referencing the Great Stink of 1858 and the subsequent reforms led by Sir Joseph Bazalgette.

Reed stated, “It’s important that we’re all here together from the different sectors because it is only by being together that I think we can find the answers to finally resolve this very profound problem that we have with the state of our water in this country.”

Reed also announced that the Water (Special Measures) Bill would unlock the biggest private sector investment in the water sector’s history. He said, “This legislation is a down-payment on wider plans to reset the beleaguered sector,” and outlined plans for significant infrastructure investments, including nine new reservoirs and upgrades to 2,500 storm overflows.

Despite these measures, some campaigners argue that the new laws are insufficient and that existing legislation is not being properly enforced. A spokesperson for the environmental group Surfers Against Sewage commented, “While this is a step in the right direction, we need to see more robust enforcement of existing laws to truly protect our waterways.” They also highlighted the need for increased investment in infrastructure to prevent sewage spills from occurring in the first place.

This comprehensive approach reflects a broader effort to address environmental concerns and improve water quality across the UK. The Government hopes that by holding executives personally accountable, it will drive a cultural change within the water industry towards greater transparency and responsibility.

For more information, see the:

• Water (Special Measures) Bill .