Investigation into Wessex Water over sewage treatment works

Wessex Water, which manages Dorset's sewer systems, is one of five firms to be investigated by Ofwat, a water industry watchdog.

Ofwat has served formal notices asking Wessex Water, Anglian Water, Northumbrian Water, Thames Water, and Yorkshire Water to gather further information for enforcement purposes.

The probe follows analysis of the information water and wastewater companies were asked to submit to Ofwat in late December about how many of their sewage treatment works might not be meeting requirements in their environmental permits, and what the companies are doing to resolve that.

Ofwat said that the information it was sent in December raised one of several concerns for each company.

Either it reported a large number of wastewater treatment works which might not be meeting their environmental rules, raised concerns about how the company meets environmental obligations, or did not show the company’s workings.

David Black, Ofwat interim chief executive, said: “The data that emerged at the end of last year suggested widespread shortcomings in how water companies were running sewage treatment works. The first phase of our investigation suggests those concerns are credible.

“We have identified shortcomings in most water and wastewater companies and are continuing to investigate. But we have already seen enough in five companies to cause serious concern and warrant us taking further action.

“We will now dig deeper into what these five companies have been doing, with the prospect of formal enforcement against them if we find they are failing on obligations Ofwat enforces.

“We will have further questions for all companies on this. In the meantime, we expect them to make quick progress in addressing any potential non-compliance they might have, whilst strengthening how they manage their environmental obligations as a whole.”

Ofwat has the power to fine companies up to 10 per cent of their annual turnover.

A Wessex Water spokesperson said: “Wessex Water is undertaking a thorough investigation, as part of an industry-wide programme agreed with the Environment Agency and Ofwat, into the accuracy of flow measurement and any implications for full to flow treatment (FFT) at all of its treatment works with flow consents.

“Findings are shared regularly with the Environment Agency and we are working with Ofwat to provide the further information they have now requested.”

The watchdog has said that all water and wastewater companies in England and Wales remain subject to its ongoing investigation as it continues to review the information gathered.

Earlier this year MPs on the Environmental Audit Committee said that England’s rivers had become a “chemical cocktail” of sewage, agricultural waste, and plastics.

Southern Water was handed a record £90 million fine for 6,791 unpermitted sewage discharges last summer. Ofwat said on Wednesday that it was keeping an eye on Southern Water’s compliance package.