£8.5 million secured thanks to crackdown on water companies

Water companies have paid £8.5 million into environmental restoration projects as part of a strengthened crackdown on pollution and poor performance across the sector.  

This is a 47 per cent increase from £5.8 million the year before.

This money will go into charities and projects that restore the harm done to waterways and improve water quality. This will help rebuild habitats for threatened species like water voles and salmon that have been harmed by pollution.

Severn Trent Water paid £4,627,424, the most of any water company.

Wessex Water paid £300,000 following pollution of the River Gascoigne. This money will be used by the Yeovil Rivers Community Trust to improve habitats in the area, including work to support endangered water vole populations. It will create reedbeds, wetlands and ponds at Yeovil Country Park and along Preston Brook.   

Water Minister Emma Hardy said: "Water companies must be held to account when they break the law. 

"This enforcement action will see millions go directly into projects that clean up our rivers, restore habitats and benefit local communities, delivering immediate benefits without lengthy court cases. 

"It comes alongside other government action to clean up our rivers, lakes and seas. We’ve already banned unfair bonuses and introduced landmark legislation to hold water companies to account, and our long-term reforms will mean there is a new, single regulator focused on preventing problems before they occur."

Philip Duffy, Chief Executive of the Environment Agency, said: "As the environmental regulator of the water industry, we are transforming how we enforce the rules – with better data, stronger powers and our largest ever enforcement workforce. 

"This record level of Enforcement Undertakings payments means more money is being reinvested directly into restoring the environment. 

"While we continue to prosecute and sanction the most serious offences, Enforcement Undertakings allow us to hold companies to account more quickly while ensuring money is channelled directly to where damage has occurred, delivering real benefits for people and wildlife."