30 Jul 2026
Photo credit: Ivan Bandura Among the winners of Ofwat’s latest innovation competition is a technology that cleans wastewater using water fleas. Daphne Water Solutions, a University of Birmingham spin-out, is one of 20 finalists in the £7.5 million Water Discovery Challenge, each awarded up to £100,000 in seed funding and mentoring to test their […]
23 Jul 2026
Photo credit: Daniele Levis Pelusi The Environment Agency has confirmed that it is bringing criminal proceedings against Southern Water Services Limited, four former employees and three further individuals, following an Administrative Court judgment on 22 July that upheld the Agency’s power to prosecute for offences connected to its regulatory functions. The four former staff, including former chief executive […]
09 Jul 2026
Photo credit: Darren Tolley Severn Trent Water has been found in breach of its wastewater obligations, though Ofwat has decided against a financial penalty. The regulator concluded the company failed in its duties to provide drainage and manage the contents of its sewers, and had historically breached licence requirements to maintain adequate processes and systems. […]
11 Jun 2026
Photo by Dylan Gillis on Unsplash The Regulators’ Alliance for Progressing Infrastructure Development (RAPID) has launched a consultation on expanding its authority beyond water supply to include wastewater and other strategically important infrastructure schemes. The move follows recommendations in the Independent Water Commission report and an explicit endorsement in the government White Paper. The […]
04 Jun 2026
Image description: The pull handle on a lavatory. Image by Andrew Martin from Pixabay A hidden enforcement gap Misconnected household pipes, washing machines, dishwashers, sinks or toilets accidentally plumbed into surface water drains rather than the foul sewer, let untreated wastewater flow directly into rivers, streams and the sea. Although discharging foul water into a surface water […]
06 May 2026
Image description: Aerial view of a port in Gibraltar. Photo by Michal Mrozek on Unsplash In an exclusive report, the Guardian reveals that Gibraltar, a British overseas territory, has never operated a wastewater treatment plant, meaning raw sewage from nearly 40,000 people and businesses has been discharged untreated into the Mediterranean Sea for decades. Untreated […]
26 Feb 2026
Image description: A dead fish lies on its side on the rocky bed of a river. Image by Oguzhan Aydin from Pixabay. Yorkshire Water has been fined more than £700,000 for repeatedly releasing sewage into a country park stream in Derbyshire, the Environment Agency (EA) said. Yorkshire Water was issued with the penalty after pleading guilty to three offences of sewage pollution in Pools Brook country park […]
26 Feb 2026
Image description: A red and white sign nailed to a wooden fence is in the foreground, with a sandy beach and sea in the background. The sign reads “beach closed, no swimming”. Image by YM, Unsplash. A group legal claim against South West Water (SSW) alleging sewage pollution into coastal waters is harming businesses and individuals has been extended across Devon and Cornwall. […]
