UK water supplier struck with a record of 123 million £ Fine from WHAT for sewage pollution

The Thames Water received the biggest fine in the history of the United Kingdom Water Industry on Wednesday, after the WWAT regulator found serious failures in managing the company’s sewage systems and sewer systems.

The environmental penalty of £ 104 million is part of a broader penalty of £ 123 million, which also includes a fine of £ 18.2 million for breach of dividend distribution rules.

The regulator said the fines would be paid by the company and its investors, not by customers.

“This decision provides confidence in the company both for its previous failures and what we expect from the company to comply with its obligations in the future,” said WWAT CEO David Black.

The handling of Thames drainage rejects was considered a significant violation of its legal responsibilities, with the ofWat, referring to unacceptable impacts on both the environment and the public.

Utility has also failed to suggest a suitable rehabilitation package to benefit from the environment, urging Wit to escalate its enforcement action.

Black added: “We are clear that dividends must be linked to performance for customers and the environment. We will not stand when companies pay unpunished dividends to their shareholders.”

The company, currently seeking new investors in the midst of financial pressure trading, operates with cash lock after a deterioration in its credit rating.

This means that it cannot distribute funds to shareholders without official approval until the economic conditions improve.

Environment secretary Steve Reed described the movement as “the toughest suppression of water companies in history”.

He noted that 81 criminal investigations had begun in water companies, stating: “The era of repetition from failure is over.”

James Wallace, Managing Director of Action River, called on the Thames water in a special administration.

He accused the operation of polluting rivers for about 300,000 hours last year, with more than £ 22 billion and did not invest in solutions. “At last, we see a government using the law and punishing a significant polluting,” Wallace said.

Liberal Democratic MP Tim Farron criticized both Thames Water and Ofwat. “This should be the last nail in the watercolor watercolor.

Green MP Ellie Chowns welcomed the fines, saying they represented long -term accountability.

“This milestone is just the beginning. We cannot allow private shareholders to make huge payments, while communities suffer from raw sewage leaks,” he said.