Ofwat updates customers one-year-on from the launch of its sewage investigation

Ofwat chief, David Black has written an open letter to customers updating them on Ofwat’s progress on dealing with sewage pollution issues, a year on from the launch of its wastewater compliance investigation.

Black set out the following actions:

• six enforcement investigations have been opened, following 30 evidence requests from companies and the analysis of over 3,000 pieces of evidence;

• following a letter from Ofwat, firms committed to reduce sewage discharges by 25% by 2025 at no extra cost to customers –  Black said: “We are monitoring these plans and, from 2025, have proposed compulsory annual targets for further improvement. We'll back ambitious and innovative plans to further reduce discharges”;

• Ofwat has published proposals to strengthen its ability to take action against companies paying out excessive dividends while failing to deliver for customers and the environment.

Black said: “We have been clear with wastewater companies that the sewage discharges on our beaches and coastlines that we have seen over the past few months are unacceptable and that they must do better. We will continue to keep you informed of their progress.”

• Following a request under Environmental Information Regulations, Defra has published water company correspondence following a September request from the former environment secretary for their plans to deal with sewage pollution. Correspondence from eight water and sewerage companies was shared, as United Utilities and Southern Water have already made their responses public.