RYA welcome rise in criminal investigations into water firms

A record 81 criminal investigations have been launched into water companies following action by the government. 
This means water bosses could be jailed for up to five years, or companies face fines of hundreds of millions of pounds, following the crackdown.

In 2024, England experienced a record 3.61 million hours of sewage discharge through storm overflows.

Phil Horton, RYA Environment and Sustainability Manager said: “While we are very disappointed in the level of potentially criminal activity within the water sector, we welcome the fact that the Environment Agency is using its powers to apply the law, a key ask of the Clean Water Sports Alliance. Our hope is that the Government will provide sufficient resources to continue this critical work by the Environment Agency until such time as all of the water companies are operating within both the letter and the spirit of the law, and that they are delivering clean water everywhere for the benefit of public health and our environment.”

The number of inspections carried out by authorities into sewage pollution has gone up 400% since July 2024, according to the government.

Water companies have been ordered to spend £104 billion and cut sewage discharges by nearly half over five years.
Environment Secretary Steve Reed said: “Water companies have too often gone unpunished as they pump record levels of sewage into our waterways. No more.

“A record number of criminal investigations have been launched into law-breaking water companies – which could see bosses behind bars.
“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.”

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.

“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.”

Read more information about the work of the Clean Water Sports Alliance