House of Commons · Written Ministerial Statement
Water company inspections update
20 February 2024 · Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Proposed by Steve Barclay Con North East Cambridgeshire
Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.
At a glance
Key points
- Government increasing inspections of water company wastewater treatment sites
- Number of inspections by the Environment Agency to rise to 4,000 by March 2025 and 10,000 from April 2026
- Environment Agency will expand workforce to enhance use of analytics and technology for audits
Issue summary
The government is increasing inspections of water company wastewater treatment sites to address unacceptable unlawful actions.
Action requested
The number of inspections by the Environment Agency (EA) will increase to 4,000 by March 2025 and further to 10,000 per year from April 2026. The EA will also expand its workforce to better utilise analytics and technology for more in-depth audits.
Key facts
- Over 930 inspections have been carried out this financial year.
- By March 2025, the number of inspections will rise to 4,000.
- From April 2026 onwards, the number of inspections will be 10,000 per year.
- The programme is backed by at least £55 million annually.
- Water companies are instructed to monitor 100% of storm overflows starting this month.
- Since 2015, the EA has concluded 59 prosecutions against water and sewerage companies securing fines exceeding £150 million.
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