Anglian Water and South West Water have been ordered to pay almost £87m after regulators found they failed to stop sewage spills and neglected to keep their networks in proper working order. Watchdog Ofwat said both companies had serious shortcomings in how they ran treatment plants and storm overflows, calling the breaches “unacceptable.”
Failures Across the System
Anglian will pay £62.8m while South West Water has been fined £24m. The money will go towards storm drain upgrades and river restoration projects. Ofwat said the problems weren’t just about old pipes or heavy rain — they were about poor management, right up to board level.
Regulator’s Rebuke
“These are serious breaches,” said Lynn Parker, Ofwat’s enforcement chief. “Our investigations found failures in how Anglian Water and South West Water have operated and maintained their sewage works and networks, which has resulted in excessive spills from storm overflows.” Both companies admitted they “got things wrong” and have promised to fix the problems.
Wider Industry Problems
The fines are part of a bigger crackdown. Five investigations this year have already led to more than £240m in enforcement action. Other firms, including Thames Water, are also under pressure. Thames is still trying to convince the government and its creditors that it can survive by shifting ownership to a new company, London & Valley Water.
Rising Bills, Climate Strains
Households face steep bill increases over the next five years as companies spend more on repairs and upgrades. Climate change is adding to the strain. Heavier storms have overwhelmed drains, while the UK has just come through its hottest summer on record. Reservoir levels are low, and hosepipe bans remain in force across much of England. Campaigners say the industry has been under-invested for years, leaving the system struggling to cope.
