It’s time to hold water and sewerage companies to account for their environmental performance

23 July 2024

Following the release of annual reporting for 2023 on the environmental performance of the 9 water and sewerage companies, including the Environmental Performance Assessment (EPA), Wildlife and Countryside Link is calling for action to ensure big businesses don't get away with pollution.

Richard Benwell, CEO of Wildlife and Countryside Link, said:

“With pollution reports still rising and companies' compliance with permits persistently poor, it’s time to hold water and sewerage companies to account for their environmental performance. Government should introduce strong polluter pays measures to ensure big polluters can't afford to break the rules, and that businesses pay their fair share to restore nature. A new Green Duty for regulators, giving them responsibility to deliver environmental targets, would help boost enforcement and prioritise investment in nature as a way to improve water quality and reduce flooding.”