The government has launched a record 81 criminal investigations into environmental breaches by water companies, more than double the number since the last general election.
This surge in investigations follows a 400 per cent increase in spot checks at water company sites and rivers by the Environment Agency over the past year, demonstrating a renewed focus on tackling the sector’s environmental performance.
Environment Secretary Steve Reed emphasised the government’s commitment to holding water companies accountable, stating that those who break the law “will finally be punished for their disgraceful behaviour.”
This crackdown comes amid public outcry over the deteriorating state of England’s waterways, coupled with concerns about rising water bills, high dividends, and substantial executive compensation packages within the privatised water industry.
In April, campaign group Surfers Against Sewage warned of unsafe levels of sewage at popular UK bathing spots, with potential to lead to serious health complications.
Thames Water leads the list with 31 open investigations, followed by Anglian Water with 22. These investigations focus on alleged breaches of environmental permits, including the illegal release of excessive pollutants into rivers and failures to conduct proper water quality monitoring. Such breaches constitute criminal offences.
While environmental groups welcome the government’s increased attention to water pollution, they caution that potential budget cuts to the Environment Agency could hinder its ability to effectively enforce regulations and hold polluters accountable.
The Environment Agency says it follows up on every offence it finds, with the most serious cases, such as illegal sewage spills, prompting criminal investigations which could lead to executives being jailed for up to five years and water companies fined hundreds of millions of pounds.
Under new laws, water company bosses could also face up to two years in prison for obstructing an investigation.
Cabinet minister Mr 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.”
Environment Agency chief executive Philip Duffy 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.”
Figures released by the Environment Department (Defra) and Environment Agency show the regulator had launched 81 criminal investigations between July 2024, when the general election was held, and March 2025 – an average of nine a month.
That compares with a total of 187 criminal investigations launched in the period from April 2020 to June 2024, an average of 3.6 per month, representing a 145% increase – although the number of investigations has been rising year on year since 2023.
The increase in investigations follows a quadrupling in the number of inspections by the regulator in the last financial year, with more funding and extra staff brought in to boost checks under the last government.
James Wallace, chief executive of campaign group River Action, said: “It’s good to see the Government finally taking water pollution seriously”, but suggested jail time for water bosses remains highly unlikely.
He added: “Criminal investigations are welcome, but regulators need urgent access to courts and, if the upcoming spending review slashes Environment Agency funding, how will it sustain the level of enforcement needed to hold polluters to account — from water companies to factory farms?
“Tough talk needs backing with real resources.”
Ali Plummer, director of policy and advocacy at Wildlife and Countryside Link coalition of conservation groups, said: “While it’s positive to see the Government taking such action, the fact that 81 criminal investigations across 11 water and sewerage companies are warranted should set alarm bells ringing in every corner of Government.
“This isn’t a case of isolated bad practice — it’s evidence of systemic failure.
“For too long, pollution has been treated as a manageable cost rather than a criminal offence.
“What we need now is proper funding for regulators so they can investigate, enforce, and hold powerful polluters to account.”
A spokesperson for industry body Water UK said: “It is right that water companies are investigated and held to account when things go wrong.
“Almost 99% of sewage and water treatment works meet their permits and we are focused on getting to 100%.”
