Anglian Water Services Ltd, a major water company, has been ordered to pay a substantial fine of over £50,000 by the Environment Agency. The penalty comes after the company failed to comply with a requirement to provide records. The court order includes a £25,000 fine, a £190 victim surcharge, and £25,000 in costs.
This landmark conviction marks the first time the Environment Agency has taken legal action against a water company for non-compliance. The case sets a precedent for regulating companies that fail to meet their obligations.
The investigation into Anglian Water Service Ltd’s compliance revealed several statutory requirements for records. The company was convicted of failing, without reasonable excuse, to respond to one of these notices, which were served between January 2022 and January 2023.
Despite entering a not-guilty plea, Anglian Water Services Ltd’s claim of reasonable excuse was rejected by District Judge Kenneth Sheraton. The case emerged from a broader criminal investigation involving all ten English water companies, examining potential non-compliance with environmental permit conditions at over 2,000 wastewater treatment works.
