Water Enforcement
What are we responsible for?
We are responsible for enforcing laws that protect the environment. We aim to use our enforcement powers efficiently and effectively to secure compliance, contributing to our work to create better places for people and wildlife, and to support sustainable development.
News
South West Water admit five offences in Plymouth and Polperro.
Charges relate to illegal discharges and breaches of environmental permits. The case was adjourned for sentencing at a later date. Read the press release(External link)
Governments launch largest review of sector since privatisation
The UK and Welsh Governments have introduced major legislation with new powers to bring criminal charges against water executives and a ban on bonuses. Read the press release.(External link)
Sanctions
(External link)Enforcement and sanctions policy
This Enforcement and sanctions policy(External link) explains the results we want to achieve, the regulatory and penalty principles we uphold, the options available to us, how we make enforcement decisions, the enforcement framework for the Climate Change schemes and the Control of Mercury regime.
(External link)
Civil sanctions
An enforcement undertaking(External link) (External link) (EU) is a voluntary offer from an offender to make amends, usually including a payment to an environmental charity to carry out improvements in the local area.
Investigations and prosecutions
(External link)Environment Agency prosecutions
This dataset(External link) contains information on prosecutions by the Environment Agency under its regulatory powers. Included are cases completed from January 2000 that resulted in a conviction. The dataset does not include fisheries and navigation offences.On 18 November 2021, the Environment Agency and Ofwat announced separate investigations(External link) into potential widespread non-compliance by water and sewerage companies at wastewater treatment works.
Guidance
(External link)
Whistleblowing
You can confidentially report(External link) serious environmental wrongdoing by your employer to us.Thank you for visiting our new water hub. This is a pilot service. We acknowledge not everything is covered here yet, this is a new offering which will grow over the coming months.