Water company executives could face up to two years in prison for repeated offences
An aerial view shows the outfall into the River Thames, at Thames Water’s Crossness Sewage Treatment Works, in south east London Ministers will publish new legislation on Thursday that will hand regulators sweeping new powers to bring criminal charges against water executives if they are found to be deliberately obstructing and failing to cooperate with any investigation into a water company.
The bill will also lower the burden of proof in civil cases to allow the EA to bring criminal charges against water bosses more easily, which would amount in fines. Changes under the bill will mean if the likes of Thames Water goes bust and is sold for a fraction of the Government’s costs, the Secretary of State will be able to enforce any shortfalls be made up through higher water bills.
Environment Secretary Steve Reed said the measures were needed to “end the disgraceful behaviour of water companies and their bosses”. “Regulators’ new powers to issue severe automatic fines for illegal sewage discharges will stop companies treating pollution as a cost of doing business. The regulator will also be able to claw back the cost of prosecution from offending company so they can pump the money back into further enforcement.”
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