EIGHT bosses could face jail as almost all of England’s water companies come under criminal investigation for spewing sewage into rivers and seas.
A record 81 probes have been launched since last July after Environment Agency spot-checks found widespread law-breaking.
AlamyEnvironment Secretary Steve Reed has vowed law-breaking water firms will be punished to clean up UK waterways[/caption]
GettyEight bosses could be jailed as water giants are probed over sewage dumps (stock picture)[/caption]
A Government list has shown that Thames Water and Anglian Water top the shame rankings, facing 31 and 22 separate probes respectively from the regulator.
Only Welsh Water — which supplies part of western England that borders Wales — and Wessex Water have so far dodged coming under close scrutiny from the organisation.
The rest — Southern, Severn Trent, United Utilities, Yorkshire Water, South West Water and Northumbrian Water — are being investigated for suspected illegal spills, permit breaches and failing to monitor pollution.
Seven firms are already heading to court, and officials warn that further prosecutions could follow.
Environment Secretary Steve Reed said: “Water companies who break the law will finally be punished for their disgraceful behaviour so we can clean up our rivers, lakes and seas for good.”
Under new powers that came into force last month, bosses of the companies who cover up sewage spills or fail to cooperate with investigators could face two years in jail.
But the worst offenders are looking at the possibility of up to five years and fines of hundreds of millions of pounds.
Environment Agency chief Philip Duffy said: “We expect full compliance throughout the water system, and we will not hesitate to take robust enforcement action where we identify serious breaches.”
The agency has hired 380 extra staff and plans 10,000 inspections next year to keep the pressure on companies.
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