Sewage dump profits ‘wrong’

THERE was “no justification” for water firms to profit from illegal sewage dumping, Steve Barclay insisted yesterday.

The Environment Secretary warned fat cat bosses to take responsibility and root it out.

Campaigners condemned the water industry when figures revealed storm overflows dumped sewage into rivers and seas for more than 3.6 million hours last year.

“This Government has been clear – a step change is needed to protect our waterways from sewage spills and we expect water companies to meet us swiftly in this ambition,” Mr Barclay said.

Inspections

“The Government has spearheaded significant monitoring action from the water sector in recent years – including fitting 100% of storm overflows with monitors.

“This data has lifted the lid on illegal discharges and allowed the Environment Agency to take enforcement action, and we are also quadrupling inspections on water company assets by the end of the financial year.

“There is simply no justification for anyone to profit from illegal behaviour and it’s time that water company bosses took responsibility for rooting it out.”

Mr Barclay announced a ban on bonus payments to water company executives when criminal breaches have occurred, subject to a consultation.

Referring to reports that last week’s Oxford-Cambridge boat race was affected by pollution in the Thames, the Environment Secretary said he shared “the anger and frustration of members of the public”.

Bosses at Thames Water have admitted the firm could face emergency nationalisation after shareholders refused it extra cash.

It is understood investors pulled a £500million deal after the water regulator Ofwat refused to bow to the firm’s demands including a 40% bill increase for customers.