As public anger over the sewage crisis intensifies, heightened by Channel 4's drama Dirty Business, attention has turned to the key figures involved. Recent events include South West Water pleading guilty to supplying unfit water, and South East Water being fined £22.5m for supply failures affecting over 280,000 people over three years.
Over the past six years, the full scale of the sewage pollution scandal has emerged, drawing heavy criticism on regulators and privatised water companies. The Guardian has examined the current status of some main characters at the heart of the controversy.
Among those scrutinised are former executives of water firms and regulatory officials, whose decisions have been blamed for the crisis. Their whereabouts and roles today vary, with some having retired or moved to other sectors, while others remain in similar positions.
The drama has reignited calls for stronger enforcement and accountability, as the public demands action to address the ongoing environmental and health impacts of sewage discharges into rivers and seas.
