Regulators Gain Teeth to Tackle Water Companies' Sewage Dumping

In a move to crack down on water companies' sewage dumping, the UK government is consulting on granting the Environment Agency greater enforcement powers. As of October 22nd, 2025, the proposed measures include allowing the regulator to use a lower, civil standard of proof instead of the higher criminal standard for minor to moderate environmental offenses.

Additionally, the government is considering introducing new automatic penalties, similar to "speeding tickets," for specific and obvious sewage dumping violations. This would eliminate the need for lengthy investigations that have resulted in fewer than 1% of pollution cases leading to prosecution in the past.

The consultation also proposes setting a cap of either £350,000 or £500,000 for penalties issued under the civil standard. This is aimed at addressing the issue of regulators being forced to be lenient towards water companies in dire financial straits, such as the recent £123 million bespoke payment plan granted to Thames Water.

Overall, these new policies are expected to cost the water sector between £50 million and £67 million annually, though the true cost could be lower if the penalties drive improved environmental compliance.