Ofwat has ordered Anglian Water to pay £62.8m for failures in managing its wastewater treatment works and network, which led to excessive sewage spills. The regulator found that the company, serving 7 million customers across the east of England and Hartlepool, breached its legal obligations by failing to operate, maintain and upgrade its wastewater assets adequately.
The enforcement package comes amid public anger over raw sewage dumping by water companies and executive bonuses. Most of the £62.8m will be spent on improving Anglian's wastewater flows, including £57m for excess flow management plans in at least eight catchments. The company must also accelerate investment to reduce storm overflow discharges and create a £5.8m community fund.
Ofwat's investigation found inadequate processes and oversight by senior managers and the board. Lynn Parker, Ofwat senior director for enforcement, said: 'Our investigation has found failures in how Anglian Water has operated and maintained its sewage works and networks, which has resulted in excessive spills from storm overflows. This is a serious breach and is unacceptable.'
Anglian Water chief executive Mark Thurston said: 'We understand the need to rebuild trust with customers and that aspects of our performance need to improve to do that. Reducing pollutions and spills is our number one operational focus.'
Anglian is one of six water companies banned from paying bonuses to senior executives for 2024-25 under the Water (Special Measures) Act 2025. Ofwat is set to be replaced by a new regulator as part of government efforts to reform the sector.
