Wessex Water ordered to pay £11m over wastewater failures

Water regulator Ofwat has recommended Wessex Water pay an £11 million sanctions package following major failures in the operation and maintenance of its wastewater network.

The fine, which will be funded by Wessex Water and its shareholders, addresses the company’s failure to adequately manage sewage and wastewater flows.

This inadequacy, detected by the monitor on Tuesday, resulted in leaks resulting directly from storm flooding.

The action follows similar investigations and significant payouts from other major water companies, including Yorkshire Water and Thames Water, earlier this year, totaling around £240 million.

Ofwat stressed that the company could not cover the cost of the enforcement action through its customers or the bill increases.

But this comes after the company paid an average of 20 per cent, or £113, on water bills this year.

Lynn Parker, Ofwat’s senior director of enforcement, said: “Our investigation found Wessex Water failed to operate, maintain and improve its wastewater assets effectively, meaning there were leaks from storm floods when they should not have been.

“The company has been one of the most proactive in investigating and remediating identified issues.

“However, there are violations that need to be taken into account and corrected.”

The water company, owned by Malaysian firm YTL, is required to help local landowners seal sewage pipes to prevent unnecessary groundwater from reaching the Wessex Water network as part of its implementation plans.

Ofwat also said it needed to reduce leaks in certain storm floods through investment and install additional monitoring equipment.

A Wessex Water spokesman said: “We regret the impact our wastewater performance is having on our customers and the environment.

“When problems with our treatment plants were identified we quickly fixed them, but we agree that more needs to be done, especially in areas where groundwater enters the sewer network and can cause flooding long after rainfall events.

“The recommendations in this package will directly address the problem with capping pipes on private land that we would not normally have jurisdiction over, as well as additional monitoring and initiatives such as water barrels and rain gardens to help customers view rainwater as a valuable resource.

“This not only prevents pollution, but also reduces the risk of sewage overflows for communities.

“Looking ahead, we plan to make a step change in the maintenance of our sewer infrastructure, with a £300 million investment in this area by 2030, while extensions are already underway or completed at some of our key waste treatment sites.”