#Water #privatisation has failed

#SouthEastWater spent more on #shareholder #dividends than on infrastructure

Now the taps aren't working in #Kent and #Sussex

Emma Reynolds and #Ofwat bring South East Water into public ownership immediately

Sign the petition

https://weownit.org.uk/act-now/south-east-water-public-ownership

#England #sewage #greed #CorporateGreed #PublicOwnership #WaterOutage

BBC News | South East Water chair resigns after report into supply issues that left thousands without drinking water

AI generated summary, Read the full article for complete information.

The chair of South East Water, Chris Train, resigned after an independent report condemned the company’s leadership as an “unaccountable clique” and highlighted severe supply failures that left tens of thousands of homes in Kent and East Sussex without drinking water for weeks. The Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee declared no confidence in chief executive David Hinton and the board, criticizing poor governance, inadequate infrastructure maintenance, and weak responses to extreme weather and vulnerable customers. MPs called for the top executives to step down and urged the Secretary of State to intervene, while the regulator Ofwat considered a multi‑million‑pound fine. South East Water pledged to double investment in its network over five years and apologised to affected customers, but critics warned that further water crises are likely unless substantial changes are made.

Read more: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c0l2w995p43o?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss

#SouthEastWater #ChrisTrain #DavidHinton #UtilitiesTrustofAustralia #Ofwat

"Last week, media company Bloomberg broke the news that the Board of Ofwat (the water regulator) is split over whether to sign off on the Thames Water creditors’ proposal. The creditors want to set their own rules and regulations on pollution."

https://weownit.org.uk/act-now/ofwats-board-is-split-urge-them-to-make-the-right-decision-about-thames-water

#ThamesWater #Water #Ofwat

#Petition #Water #OFWAT

Thames Water could soon be let off the hook for sewage dumping, without paying a PENNY

Behind closed doors, water bosses and the regulator Ofwat are close to a deal that could let the company avoid any new fines until 2030

Please consider adding your name to this petition calling on the Environment Secretary, Emma Reynolds, to bring Thames Water into public ownership now

https://act.38degrees.org.uk/act/bring-thames-water-into-public-ownership-now-optin

#ThamesWater is poised to reach an agreement with #ofwat that will allow the struggling utility to avoid any new fines over the next four years in exchange for a commitment to invest cash into the business.

Ofwat is planning to accept “undertakings” in lieu of financial penalties until 2030, according to people familiar with discussions, as part of a controversial offer put forward by creditors that would save the water company from being renationalised

🙄

https://www.ft.com/content/070d9030-0314-41dd-9630-63c893b199b0?syn-25a6b1a6=1

Welsh Water told to pay £45m for ‘unacceptable’ sewage failures

Water regulator Ofwat said its investigation found the not-for-profit company had failed to adequately operate, maintain, and upgrade its wastewater assets.

It also found that Welsh Water’s senior management and Board failed to have proper oversight to ensure the company was meeting its legal requirements.

In response, Welsh Water has apologised and accepted the findings, agreeing to a redress package that will fund environmental improvements rather than being paid from customer bills.

Lynn Parker, Senior Director for Enforcement at Ofwat, said the investigation had uncovered significant failings.

“Our investigation has found serious and unacceptable breaches in how Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water has operated and maintained its sewage works and networks, which has resulted in excessive spills from storm overflows to the environment,” she said.

“We now expect them to focus on putting things right so that customers can regain trust in their water company and the critical service they provide.”

Ofwat said the £44.7m package will be funded from Welsh Water’s retained profits, as the company does not have shareholders.

The bulk of the money – £40.6 million – will be targeted at reducing spills at specific overflows and tackling groundwater seeping into the sewer network, which is a major cause of frequent spills.

A further £4.1 million will be invested to improve river water quality, including a new £1 million ‘Cymuned Natur’ fund to support local environmental groups.

Welsh Water said it had already started a “major transformation programme” to improve performance and strengthen oversight.

A spokesperson for the company said: “We accept the findings of Ofwat’s investigation and apologise for where we have fallen short of the standards that our customers and regulators rightly expect from us.”

“We have already taken steps to strengthen our governance, oversight and compliance arrangements as part of a wider transformation programme across the business.”

The company added that the redress package was in addition to the £4.2 billion it is investing between 2025 and 2030, with £2.5 billion of that dedicated to environmental improvements.

Ofwat’s investigation into Welsh Water is the seventh case in a wider probe into the wastewater sector, which has now resulted in enforcement packages totalling over £300 million.

A public consultation on the proposed enforcement package is now open and will close on April 2.