Severn Trent avoids fine for ‘serious’ wastewater failures

Ofwat has been investigating how wastewater and sewage networks are managed across the industry.

Severn Trent was the eighth case it had completed in its industry-wide wastewater investigation, which has resulted in fines and enforcement packages worth more than £300m, including a £104.5m fine for Thames Water.

But Ofwat said that unlike the previous seven cases, Severn Trent “proactively identified problems in its own network” and “began putting them right” before the enforcement case was opened.

“Ofwat has formally accepted an enforceable package of undertakings from Severn Trent Water to ensure the company returns to compliance,” a spokesperson said.

Severn Trent which covers most of the West Midlands including Staffordshire, Shropshire, Warwickshire and Worcestershire, and parts of the East Midlands, including Derbyshire, Leicestershire and Nottinghamshire, said its work in spills reduction continued.

James Jesic, the company’s chief executive, added: “We accept Ofwat’s findings relating to issues that we proactively identified and began addressing these before the enforcement case was opened.

“Our investment programme in spills reduction continues across our region at pace with the strength of our whole organisation and supply chain behind it.”