Wessex Water praised for no serious pollution incidents last year
The Environment Agency (EA) found the utility company was one of only two water and sewerage firms not to commit any major incidents in 2024.
However, a 53 per cent increase in pollution incidents of lesser severity (category one to three) has been recorded for Wessex Water.
This comes amid a wider critique of the water sector, with serious pollution incidents rising 60 per cent from 2023.
The EA said it was aware of 75 major and significant incidents in 2024, up from 47 the previous year.
Altogether, 2,801 incidents were recorded by water companies last year, up 29 per cent from 2023.
The EA said persistent underinvestment in infrastructure, poor asset maintenance, and climate change were reasons for the sector's poor performance.
Despite this, the EA praised the positive efforts of Wessex Water.
Ed Lockington, the EA's water industry regulation manager, said: "We're pleased to see that by not causing any serious pollution incidents last year, Wessex Water has met not just our expectation but the public's.
"That is a high bar to maintain, but nothing less is acceptable for the environment we all rely on."
However, Mr Lockington said Wessex Water still has room for improvement.
He added: "It is disappointing to see its total number of pollutions rose by just over half - there is clearly more work to be done."
The EA carried out 422 inspections of Wessex Water sites last year, 35 per cent more than targeted.
The findings from these inspections are shared with the company to help focus efforts on improving its network, customer service, and environmental obligations.
The EA stated that 24 per cent of sites breached their permits last year.
The agency is clear that none of these factors, including wet weather, can excuse the high number of incidents last year.
Water companies are required to meet their legal obligations to the environment and communities or face enforcement action.
Alan Lovell, chair of the EA, said: "This report demonstrates continued systemic failure by some companies to meet their environmental targets.
"The water industry must act urgently to prevent pollution from occurring and to respond rapidly when it does."
The EA has more powers to take action against polluting companies under the Water (Special Measures) Act.
To boost funding for water regulation, the EA is considering a levy on the water sector to recover the cost of enforcement activities.
The act also requires companies to produce annual pollution incident reduction plans to address persistent problems and prevent future incidents.
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