Latest news with #ThamesWater
The Guardian
16 hours ago
- Business
- The Guardian
Charity in legal action against minister for failing to act over Thames Water
A river charity is taking legal action against the environment secretary, Steve Reed, accusing him of an unlawful failure to publish his policy on taking failing water companies into temporary nationalisation. Lawyers for River Action argue that Thames Water has breached its duties and violated its licence conditions seriously and repeatedly, making it the clearest possible case for special administration. Special administration is a temporary insolvency and restructuring process for companies that provide essential public services such as water, energy and transport. It is designed to ensure continuity of service while the company is stabilised and restructured. There is a bespoke special administration regime (SAR) for the water industry, which was created in 1991 and is designed to prioritise customers and services while putting financial interests second. Reed has said that the government is stepping up preparations to take Thames Water into special administration, indicating he will reject pleas from the company's creditors for leniency from fines and penalties. Thames Water's largest creditors control the utility and have made efforts to cut some of its debts and have offered to provide £5.3bn in new funding to try to turn it around. But River Action's head of legal, Emma Dearnaley, said the time to use the SAR process was now. 'Enough is enough,' she said. 'Why hasn't the secretary of state used special administration to fix the water sector, starting with Thames Water? 'The government has the power but won't use it, or even explain when it might trigger this process. Apparently, the government has no policy at all. That's a fundamental failure of transparency and accountability, and it's unlawful.' River Action has lodged an application for a judicial review against the secretary of state. The claim argues that the government has failed to publish its policy on when it would use the SAR process, breaching core public law duties, and that ministers have failed to develop a policy at all, breaching obligations under habitats regulations and other planning and environmental laws. Under section 24 of the Water Industry Act 1991, special administration can be triggered by a water company's failure to meet performance standards, including environmental pollution, and a breach of its statutory or licence duties in ways that are 'serious enough to make it inappropriate for the company to continue to hold its licence'. Sign up to Down to Earth The planet's most important stories. Get all the week's environment news - the good, the bad and the essential after newsletter promotion River Action argues that Thames Water clearly meets that threshold and has done so for years. Serious pollution incidents by Thames and other water companies were up 60% last year compared with the year before, data has revealed. There were 75 serious pollution incidents in 2024, up from 47 in 2023, Environment Agency figures show. Three companies were responsible for 61, or 81%, of the incidents: : Thames Water with 33, Southern Water, 15, and Yorkshire Water, 13. Thames Water's serious incidents more than doubled. A spokesperson for the government said: 'We are unable to comment on an ongoing legal challenge.' Thames Water was approached for comment.
The Independent
2 days ago
- Business
- The Independent
Water companies enforcing hosepipe bans leak over one billion litres of water a day
The four water companies with hosepipe bans currently in effect in the UK are leaking over one billion litres of water a day, new analysis has revealed. Thames Water, Yorkshire Water, Southern Water and South East Water have been criticised for enforcing the bans in the wake of water shortages while leaking massive amounts of water every day. The 1.031 billion litres of water leaked daily in 2024/25 was enough to fill 400 Olympic swimming pools, the figures from the companies' recent annual performance reports show. Bringing attention to the issue, the Liberal Democrats called it a 'scandal,' especially in light of the 'eye-watering' salary and bonuses given to water bosses despite ongoing sector-wide issues. They pointed to the chief executive of Southern Water Lawrence Gosden's pay package rising to £975k in 2024/25, an increase of 35 per cent. Of all the water companies operating in the UK, Thames Water leaked the most in 2024/25, at 569.1 mega litres a day (ML/d). This was down slightly from 570.4 ML/d, but still keeps the London water supplier in the top spot. According to most recent figures, Yorkshire water is leaking 260.2 ML/d, Southern Water 97.7 and South East Water 104.8. Recent analysis by The Independent found that no household has been fined for breaking hosepipe bans over the last five years, calling into question how seriously water companies are taking water-saving measures. Regulator Ofwat says that around a fifth of water running through pipes is still lost to leakage, although this amount has been cut by 41 per cent since 1989, when water companies were privatised. Officially, leakage is water that companies cannot account for; it has entered their systems but not been delivered to homes or businesses used in their operations. It can be driven by factors like the condition of pipes or companies' operational strategies, such as how they manage water pressure. Commenting, Liberal Democrat Environment Spokesperson Tim Farron MP said: 'It is an absolute scandal that families are being told to limit their water use this summer, while these failing water firms are letting over a billion litres a day go to waste through leaky pipes.' A Thames Water spokesperson said: 'Leakage is at its lowest ever level on our network, down 13.2% since 2020, but we know we have more work to do. The extended warm weather also brings increased risks of leaks and bursts due to pipe stress and shifting foundations in the ground.' A Southern Water spokesperson said: 'Last year, we reduced leakage by almost 20% and are seeking the same cut this year, saving 17 million litres more water every day - enough to serve 35,000 customers.' A Yorkshire Water spokesperson said: "We understand how frustrating leaks are for our customers and would like to assure them that reducing leakage on our networks is a priority for us. Leakage is the lowest it has ever been in Yorkshire, and it's something that we work on all year round.' A Water UK spokesperson said:'Water companies are doing everything they can to prevent further restrictions. Leakage is currently at the lowest level on record, with reductions every year since 2020, and will be cut by a further 17% by 2030. 'However, after one of the driest springs on record, recent heatwaves and more dry weather forecast, we're asking everyone to use water wisely and cut back where they can.'
Yahoo
2 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Water firm stops 'illegal spill' into sewage facility
A water firm has said it has identified and stopped an "illegal discharge" into one of its sewage networks. Thames Water said a third party had caused the incident at Wheatley Sewage Treatment Works at the River Thame, Oxfordshire, which caused the treatment process to be "knocked out". An Environment Agency spokesman said about "30 fish in a stream called Wheatley Ditch were killed as a result". The water firm said it would "pursue investigations into the source of the substance and ensure appropriate action is taken". In a statement, Thames Water said it was carrying out "a full clean of the surrounding sewers and pumping station to ensure they are clean, clear, and free flowing". "We have identified the source of the substance as a third-party disposal into the wastewater network, which we have now stopped," the statement reads. "We have deployed tankers, to divert the wastewater flows to an alternative site in order to minimise the impact to the watercourse and we are working closely with the Environment Agency and local stakeholders during this time to ensure full recovery," the statement adds. Earlier, Jake Morley, the firm's government engagement lead for North Thames Valley, said the works were "not designed to take this type of waste and treat it". "We need to allow sites biological process time to recover," he said. "Once the site has recovered, we can slowly remove the tankers and treat as normal at the site." He said there was an indication that wildlife had been impacted. The EA said specialist officers were investigating the pollution incident which happened on Sunday. "Around 30 fish in a stream called Wheatley Ditch were killed as a result," the spokesperson said. "We are working with Thames Water to confirm the source and understand what happened." They appealed for anyone with information on that or any other suspected pollution in the waterways to contact the agency. Lib Dem Henley and Thame MP Freddie van Mierlo said he was "extremely concerned" by the incident reports. "We don't yet know the full extent, but it's clear that something has gone badly wrong," he said. "I've asked for urgent updates from Thames Water, and I'm grateful for the swift response from local councillors and community members. "Once the facts are established, we must ensure that those responsible are held to account and that everything possible is done to restore the health of the river." A Thames Water spokesperson said they would "pursue investigations into the source of the substance and ensure appropriate action is taken". You can follow BBC Oxfordshire on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram. Similar stories Sewage in rivers 'needs a bold solution' 'Shocking' rates of sewage discharged in rivers Thousands of homes face delay over sewage works Related Links Thames Water Environment Agency
BBC News
2 days ago
- General
- BBC News
Thames Water investigates 'illegal spill' into sewage facility
A water firm has said it is investigating an "illegal discharge" into one of its sewage Water said a third party had caused the incident at Wheatley Sewage Treatment Works at the River Thame, Oxfordshire, which caused the treatment process to be "knocked out".It said 15 tankers were being used to remove sewage from the site and take it to another facility for firm said there was an indication that wildlife had been impacted. Jake Morley, the firm's government engagement lead for North Thames Valley, said the works were "not designed to take this type of waste and treat it". "We need to allow sites biological process time to recover," he said."Once the site has recovered, we can slowly remove the tankers and treat as normal at the site."He said Thames Water was working the with the Environment Agency (EA) at affected watercourses "both at the ditch and the River Thame". "We are working very hard to reduce the impact to the watercourse," Mr Morley EA has been contacted for a Dem Henley and Thame MP Freddie van Mierlo said he was "extremely concerned" by the incident reports."We don't yet know the full extent, but it's clear that something has gone badly wrong," he said."I've asked for urgent updates from Thames Water, and I'm grateful for the swift response from local councillors and community members."Once the facts are established, we must ensure that those responsible are held to account and that everything possible is done to restore the health of the river." You can follow BBC Oxfordshire on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.
Telegraph
2 days ago
- Business
- Telegraph
European stocks poised to jump after Trump trade deal
Good morning European stocks looked poised to rise on Monday as a deal between the US and European Union appeared to head off the risk of a damaging transatlantic trade war. The deal struck by Donald Trump and Urusula von der Leyen, president of the European Commission, on Sunday at the former's Scottish golf course will set a tariff rate of 15pc for most goods, down from a threatened 30pc. Full details are yet to be confirmed and a written next still needs to be agreed. But as traders breathed a sigh of relief, Euro Stoxx 50 futures were up 1.3pc on Monday morning ahead of markets opening. Speaking on Sunday, Mr Trump said: 'This is probably the biggest deal ever reached in any capacity, trade or beyond trade.' 5 things to start your day US cars and energy to flood Europe as Trump strikes trade deal | Eleventh-hour agreement in Scottish summit to avert 30pc tariffs Britain is stuck in a 'doom loop', warns hedge fund chief | American billionaire Ray Dalio issues a stark warning about the health of the UK economy Fintech boss accused of 'backdoor' power grab in row over US move | Former partner claims the chief executive is hijacking a crunch shareholder vote to tighten his grip Thames Water faces rocketing demand for supplies | Utility giant warns that plans to build 100 new data centres across London and the South East will pile more pressure on its creaking infrastructure. Telecoms chief lands record £131m payday | The boss of a little-known UK telecoms business was handed a record £131m last year, marking the highest-ever package paid by a London-listed business.
