Water companies will be forced to pay a combined £157.6 million after missing key targets over pollution and sewer flooding last year, the official regulator has said.
Ofwat, the body responsible for the sector in England and Wales, said water companies had set a target of reducing pollution incidents by 30 per cent and managed only 2 per cent.
The regulator called the results “disappointing” and called for a more “innovative and proactive” approach. Customer satisfaction is at its lowest since the metric was introduced four years ago.
Ofwat said household bills will be reduced in 2025-26 to reflect the fine, which is split between companies based on their number of customers. Thames Water, the largest provider, will pay almost £57 million. Anglian Water