Greenpeace reaction to water company fines

Responding to the news that three water companies have been fined a combined total of £168 million for historic sewage spills, Greenpeace UK’s director of policy Doug Parr said:

“It’s good to see this rogue industry finally paying the price for years of pollution. But it is our rivers, seas and everyone who enjoys them that pay the real penalty, with added interest for every year this abuse is allowed is allowed to continue.

“Our watercourses and the ecosystems that rely on them are in desperate need of protection and there is huge public support for this. It is now vital that Ofwat bring in a full ban on shareholder dividends and bonuses for these serial polluters.

“The government should give its full backing and additional resources to regulators like Ofwat and the Environment Agency, and recognise that the privatisation of this most vital of industries has failed.”