Ofwat investigating all 11 Water Companies

Ofwat, the regulator for water and sewage companies in England and Wales, has expanded its investigation into potentially illegal sewage pollution to include all 11 water companies.

The investigation now encompasses Severn Trent, United Utilities, Dwr Cymru Welsh Water, and Hafren Dyfrdwy, alongside ongoing enforcement actions against Anglian Water, Northumbrian Water, South West Water, Thames Water, Wessex Water, and Yorkshire Water.

Ofwat's expanded investigation follows criticism that the regulator has not acted strongly enough to prevent suspected illegal sewage releases. Water companies are allowed to release sewage under exceptional circumstances to prevent backups into homes, but the frequency of spills, which numbered over 477,000 last year (a 58% increase from the previous year) suggests regulatory breaches.

The Environment Agency is conducting a parallel criminal investigation into compliance with environmental permits. Water companies like United Utilities and Severn Trent have expressed their commitment to addressing concerns and working with Ofwat's investigation.