Annual report published on environmental performance of English water and sewage companies

Article summary

The Environment Agency (EA) has published the 2021 annual environmental performance report assessing England’s nine water and sewage companies which is stated to have declined. The report shows that overall in 2021, the companies’ performances fell to the lowest level seen under the environmental performance assessment, and the EA outlines that despite continuing enforcement action against breaches of environmental laws, water companies are undeterred by the penalties issued by the courts. The EA calls for courts to impose higher fines for serious and deliberate pollution incidents, and prison sentences for Chief Executives as well as board members whose companies are responsible for the most serious incidents, while also ensuring that company directors are struck off so they cannot simply move on in their careers after illegal environmental damage. Additionally, key report findings include, among others, no overall improvement for several years in total incident numbers or compliance with conditions for discharging treated wastewater.