Flooding at Datchet, near Windsor, where Thames Water was releasing wastewater to relieve pressure on the system. Photo: Maureen McLean/Alamy Live News
Water chiefs have received more than £25 million in bonuses, benefits and other incentives since the last general election, despite growing concerns about sewage spills, new analysis has found.< /p>
Data compiled by Labor shows that the chief executives of nine water companies in England have received millions of pounds on top of their standard pay over the past four years, while household bills are set to rise to help fix the crisis in Britain's waterways.
The party accused the government of “turning a blind eye” to the problems at the heart of the industry, resulting in “smelly, toxic wastewater destroying our countryside.”
To tackle the problem, Labor has promised to give Ofwat, the water regulator, new powers to ban bonuses to companies if firms are found to be illegally polluting Britain's rivers, lakes and seas.
It also says that it would end self-policing, ensure personal criminal liability for executives in cases of “extreme and persistent” violations of the law, and introduce “strict and automatic” penalties for wrongful dismissals.
Water companies are allowed to release wastewater from overflow pipes, but should only do so on rare occasions and only in extreme weather conditions to avoid overloading the system.
A Labor Party analysis found that after the 2019 general election, water chiefs received more than £10 million in bonuses, almost £15 million in incentives and £621,580 in benefits.
This includes £1.4 million in bonuses last year. This is less than half the £3.1 million paid out the previous year.
It comes as water companies are set to charge consumers more than £150 extra a year to help fund solutions to the wastewater crisis.
This means the typical English household's annual bill will rise from £425 to £575 sterling at 2022-23 prices, according to documents submitted to Ofwat late last year.
“The result is stinking, toxic sewage destroying our countryside and consumers facing higher bills while hapless water bosses reap millions in bonuses,” he said.< /p>
“Labour will apply special measures to failed water companies. We will strengthen regulation to ensure law-breaking water bosses are prosecuted and give the regulator new powers to block the payment of any bonuses until water bosses clean up their mess.”
The agency said environmental protection. It takes sewage pollution “very seriously” and will always go after companies that mislead, and Ofwat last month stressed that executive bonuses come from shareholders, not customers.
A spokesman for trade association Water UK said: “We agree that any financial reward should be closely linked to performance, including environmental protection. It is also right that regulators have all the powers they believe necessary to hold water companies accountable.
However, it is clear that the only path to the change we all want to see is significant investment. Water companies have drawn up plans for the biggest investment in the sector's history, including £11 billion to improve wastewater overflows, tripling current levels of investment.”
A government spokesman said: “Our water plan is delivering results more investment, stronger regulation and tougher enforcement – and we've already made it abundantly clear that water companies should never profit from environmental damage.
“That's why we've given Ofwat increased powers to engage them liability, as well as expanding the EPA's powers through unlimited financial penalties. This is on top of the £150 million charged in criminal prosecutions since 2015.
“All storm spills across England are also already equipped with monitors, with the government increasing monitoring from 7 per cent in 2010 to 100 per cent in 2010. cent. now.”
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