The Environment Agency has been fined for failures in monitoring water quality, as the sewage crisis continues to draw public scrutiny. The regulator was penalised after it admitted to shortcomings in its oversight of water companies, which have been accused of discharging untreated sewage into rivers and seas.
South East Water was recently fined £22.5 million for repeated supply failures affecting over 280,000 people across three years. Meanwhile, South West Water pleaded guilty to supplying water unfit for human consumption. These cases highlight systemic issues in the water industry, which has faced criticism from the public and media.
The Channel 4 drama 'Dirty Business' has reignited anger over the sewage scandal, focusing on key figures within regulators and privatised water companies. The Guardian has examined the current status of these individuals, as the industry grapples with accountability and reform.
