A record 81 criminal investigations into water companies have been launched in England since the last election, as part of a sweeping Government crackdown on sewage pollution. The initiative, led by Environment Secretary Steve Reed, marks the most extensive criminal enforcement action against water companies in UK history.
There has been a nearly 400% increase in inspections since July 2024, uncovering widespread law-breaking across company facilities and rivers.
“A record number of criminal investigations have been launched into law-breaking water companies – which could see bosses behind bars,” said Environment Secretary Steve Reed. “Water companies have too often gone unpunished as they pump record levels of sewage into our waterways. No more.”
“With this Government, water companies who break the law will finally be punished for their disgraceful behaviour so we can clean up our rivers, lakes and seas for good,” he added.
Our message to the industry is clear: we expect full compliance throughout the water system, and we will not hesitate to take robust enforcement action where we identify serious breaches - Philip Duffy, Chief Executive of the Environment Agency
Under the government’s newly passed Water (Special Measures) Act 2025, executives who cover up or hide illegal sewage spills can now face up to two years in prison. In addition, water companies found guilty of serious environmental offences could be fined hundreds of millions of pounds.
According to the Environment Agency, these strong new measures are already having a measurable impact. The agency has hired 380 new regulatory staff to carry out inspections and enforcement, and has resolved over 1,000 minor pollution issues in the past year, including clearing blocked pipes and improving local water quality.
Philip Duffy, Chief Executive of the Environment Agency, said:
“This milestone is testament to our determination to hold water companies to account and achieve a cleaner water environment.”
“Our message to the industry is clear: we expect full compliance throughout the water system, and we will not hesitate to take robust enforcement action where we identify serious breaches,” Duffy continued. “This is just the beginning – we are on track to deliver 10,000 inspections next year, using our tougher powers gained through the Water (Special Measures) Act alongside more officers and upgraded digital tools to drive better performance across the water sector.”
The crackdown targets offences such as exceeding pollution limits or failing to monitor water quality—both criminal breaches of environmental permits. The most serious cases, including illegal sewage spills, trigger formal criminal investigations.
The Environment Agency is also carrying out its largest ever criminal investigation, assessing potential non-compliance at more than 2,000 sewage treatment works across England. Seven criminal cases against water companies are expected to go to court in the coming months.
As part of the wider effort to improve water quality, water companies are expected to invest a record £104 billion over the next five years and cut sewage discharges by nearly half.
This unprecedented regulatory push signals a new era of accountability for England’s water industry—where criminal penalties, including jail time for executives, are now firmly on the table.
