The Environment Agency has uncovered more than 3,000 breaches of environmental rules by water companies following a major crackdown. Inspectors completed over 10,000 checks of water company assets in the past year, leading to thousands of demands for improvements, including repairs to sewage works and infrastructure upgrades.
The agency said permit conditions were breached for reasons such as equipment failure, effluent not meeting water quality standards, or failing to manage the sewage network properly. The increased scrutiny comes after extra funding and 500 new staff allowed inspections to more than double from 4,600 in 2024/2025 to over 10,000 this financial year.
Helen Wakeham, director for water at the Environment Agency, said: 'Inspections are a vital preventative measure, with our teams issuing over 3,000 individual actions to water companies, including repairing sewage works and upgrading infrastructure.' Water minister Emma Hardy added that the government's investment means inspectors are 'out in force' and holding companies to account.
However, campaign groups warned that inspections alone are not enough. James Wallace, chief executive of River Action, said: 'With prosecutions taking years to reach court and fines far too low, water polluters are not being properly held to account.' Richard Benwell of Wildlife and Countryside Link called for a new water regulator with powers to impose rapid, significant penalties.
