Ofwat concerned over ‘widespread shortcomings in how water companies’ are ‘running sewage treatment works’

Ofwat have said they have “serious concerns” with five water suppliers over how they are “running sewage treatment works.”

Ofwat said that they have submitted report in December of Anglian Water, Northumbrian Water, Thames Water, Wessex Water and Yorkshire Water.

“The data that emerged at the end of last year suggested widespread shortcomings in how water companies were running sewage treatment works. The first phase of our investigation suggests those concerns are credible,” said Ofwat interim boss David Black.

“We have identified shortcomings in most water and wastewater companies and are continuing to investigate.

“But we have already seen enough in five companies to cause serious concern and warrant us taking further action.”

Ofwat said in December a report was sent of wastewater treatment works which might not be meeting their environmental rules.

This has raised concerns with the regulator over how the company meets their environmental obligations, or did not show the company’s workings.

“We will now dig deeper into what these five companies have been doing, with the prospect of formal enforcement against them if we find they are failing on obligations Ofwat enforces,” Mr Black said.

“We will have further questions for all companies on this.

“In the meantime, we expect them to make quick progress in addressing any potential non-compliance they might have, whilst strengthening how they manage their environmental obligations as a whole.”