Sewage spills could bring wave of legal action
THE Environment Secretary faces the prospect of legal action over dirty rivers as a new watchdog launches a major investigation.
George Eustice and Britain’s environmental regulators could be taken to the High Court over their alleged failure to prevent widespread dumping of raw sewage, polluting waterways for wildlife and swimmers.
The Office for Environmental Protection (OEP), a newly formed watchdog, is to investigate Mr Eustice, the Environment Agency and Ofwat – which regulates water company funding and billing.
The announcement follows a campaign by The Daily Telegraph calling for action to stop companies being allowed to pollute waterways, in a scandal that has led to swimmers becoming sick and wildlife choked by algae growing out of control.
Data shows that water companies dumped untreated sewage into English rivers and the sea 372,533 times last year.
Water companies have been criticised for failing to invest in infrastructure to keep pace with growing populations, meaning combined sewer systems that process rainwater and sewage are becoming overwhelmed and releasing their contents into rivers.
It will be the OEP’S first investigation since coming into existence earlier this year and follows a complaint by the Salmon & Trout Conservation, a charity.
Helen Venn, the OEP’S chief regulatory officer, said the move “could result in enforcement activity”. The watchdog has the power to take public bodies to the High Court for failing to follow environmental law.
She said: “This is a complex area and there is already a great deal of work under way to try to tackle the problem of untreated sewage in our rivers.
“Our investigation will contribute to that work by providing clarity about the legal responsibilities of the different bodies involved to ensure measures to tackle the problems can be targeted and effective.”
The move came as Sir Ed Davey, the leader of the Liberal Democrats, called for local authorities to have the power to fine water companies. In a speech at the Local Government Association’s annual conference today he is set to call for water companies to be required to report pollution figures every month “with councils able to fine those who try to cover it up”.
The move follows a series of enforcement cases launched by Ofwat into illegal sewage dumping by water companies, most recently involving South West Water.
But the regulator itself has faced criticism for failing to prioritise investment in the network while the Environment Agency has been accused of failing to monitor water quality and prosecute companies effectively. An Ofwat spokesman said: “Where companies fall short, we will act – over the past five years we have imposed penalties and payments of more than £250 million.”
Environment minister Rebecca Pow said: “While we fully support the OEP’S investigation, we are going further and faster than any other government to protect and enhance the health of our rivers and seas.”
An Environment Agency spokesman said: “The EA fully supports the OEP and intends to fully co-operate with its investigation.”