Thames Water is being investigated by the water regulator for England and Wales, Ofwat, after the struggling company delayed environmental improvement schemes.
The investigation was launched after the Guardian revealed that the UK’s largest water company intentionally diverted millions of pounds pledged for environmental clean-ups towards other costs, including bonuses and dividends.
Ofwat opened an enforcement case into Thames Water to decide whether the company breached its obligations in failing to deliver 100 out of 812 schemes it was supposed to put in place between 2020 and 2025.
Water activist Feargal Sharkey comments:
“Ofwat are utterly, utterly hopeless day 13,101. In early 2024 it was revealed that Thames Water was defaulting on their legal commitments to invest in the environment and infrastructure by £1,134,000,000. A total of 105 projects would not be delivered. At the time I asked, what’s happened the money, where’s it gone. No doubt this one will drag on for years and years just like the still ongoing investigating into the great sewage scandal. For God’s sake get rid of them…”
And Cat Hobbs, founder and director of the British Blue Community ‘We Own It’ states:
“As Ofwat opens an enforcement case against Thames Water, which is due to go bankrupt in 34 days, we ask ‘What is Steve Reed waiting for?’ End the omnishambles. Public ownership now.”
