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Water company bosses could face up to two years in prison and be banned from taking bonuses under the new government’s first major proposals to crack down on England’s sewage, chemical and manure infested waterways.
The new Water (Special Measures) Bill is designed to beef up feeble regulators so they can take on water companies releasing sewage into rivers, lakes and seas and appease public fury.
Although many topline measures had already been announced, the new details have been cautiously welcomed by green groups as an “important first step” towards cleaning up the country’s filthy rivers, lakes and seas.
But they say there is a long way to go given many other problems with the waterways, and the government acknowledged the need for “wider reform”.
What would the new water bill do?
The bill, which could come into effect in the new year, would increase fines and could see water executives who fail to cooperate or obstruct investigations, such as being slow to provide data, thrown in jail for up to two years.
Existing legislation does already allow bosses to face prison for other offences, but none have been successfully prosecuted despite “widespread illegality”, according to the government.
The Environment Secretary Steve Reed said: “The public are furious that in 21st century Britain, record levels of sewage are being pumped into our rivers, lakes and seas. After years of neglect, our waterways are now in an unacceptable state.”
He added: “Under this government, water executives will no longer line their own pockets whilst pumping out this filth.”
Ofwat will also be allowed to ban water bosses’ bonuses if they breach standards on the environment, their consumers and company finances – although the system is yet to be designed.
Severn Trent chief Liz Garfield this year won a £584,000 bonus, despite the company being fined £2m for “reckless”…
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