20 Mar 2025
Last year, Professor Carolyn Roberts brought a landmark class action against six of England’s largest water companies for alleged breaches of environmental duties. The suit claimed the six defendants significantly under-reported pollution incidents, which allowed them to charge higher prices than would have been permitted if accurate reports had been made. This under-reporting was argued […]
20 Mar 2025
Water regulator Ofwat has concluded its investigation into Yorkshire Water, securing an enforcement package of £40m to be paid by the wastewater company. Their investigation found on average the firm discharged untreated wastewater into the region’s rivers for seven hours a day in 2023, with almost half its storm overflows found to be in breach […]
11 Mar 2025
Six of the UK’s biggest water companies may have to pay up to £510m in compensation after being accused of overcharging businesses, charities and local authorities by concealing the scale of their sewage spills. Environmental consultant Professor Carolyn Roberts and law firm RPC have issued letters to each of the six firms – Thames Water, […]
11 Mar 2025
In 2024, it was revealed United Utilities had repeatedly discharged millions of litres of raw sewage illegally into Lake Windermere over a three-year period. Environment Secretary Steve Reed has pledged that he will work toward a future where “only rainwater” enters England’s largest lake. The announcement comes as Reed and water minister Emma Hardy embark […]
11 Mar 2025
The Welsh and UK Government have announced a new £1 million joint research initiative to tackle water quality issues in the River Wye. The river, which runs for 130 miles from central Wales to the Severn Estuary, has seen its water quality and wildlife drastically decline after years of exposure to agricultural pollution, sewage discharges […]
06 Mar 2025
After centuries of absence from England’s waterways, the UK Government has recently ruled in favor of the reintroduction of beavers into the wild. The return of beavers can help restore rivers and wetlands and reduce flooding and drought. Research has shown that beaver dams can improve downstream water quality, with benefits for wild swimmers and […]
06 Mar 2025
The Independent Water Commission, launched last October by the UK and Welsh governments, is seeking views in relation to the water sector in England and Wales. A Call for Evidence opened on February 27 and will close on April 23. The public, environment groups, investors and others are invited to share their views on future […]
06 Mar 2025
Currently, the UK as a whole uses about 14bn litres/day of water. According to the Environment Agency’s latest estimate, England will require around 5bn litres/day more water by 2050, meaning measures must be taken to reduce supply scarcity. Photo credit: Jonathan Bean Construction is about to begin on the UK’s first new reservoir […]
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