Under a proposed amendment to the law, executives at UK water companies could face up to two years in prison if they fail to prevent untreated sewage from entering the nation's rivers and waterways.
The Water (Special Measures) Bill introduced in Parliament on Thursday will give regulators the power to ban bonuses for executives of polluting companies and bring criminal charges against violators, with the potential for up to two years’ imprisonment for those who obstruct investigations.
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As anglers, we are acutely aware of the dire state of the UK's rivers and lakes, often being the first to witness the destruction caused by pollution and the ones most affected by it. Whether it's contracting life-threatening illnesses like E. coli or seeing the fish we aim to catch die, anglers are left frustrated and angry as companies seemingly escape accountability for the devastation they cause.
Pollution incidents often occur when heavy rainfall overwhelms the Victorian-era sewer systems—something critics call unacceptable, as corporate profiteering has diverted funds that should have been reinvested to modernise these systems and prevent such problems in the 21st century.
It is hoped that these new regulations, with the threat of prison time and the loss of coveted bonuses, will push companies to finally take meaningful action to reduce pollution.
The emergency bill, that could come not effect as early as next year, would see the Environment Agency given the power to charge the water companies for their surveying and testing at pollution and overflow sites, giving them a much needed boost in funding. This brings hope that more and better surveying can be undertaken leading to more convictions and a quicker response should pollution be discovered.
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Environment Secretary Steve Reed said:
“The public are furious that in 21st century Britain, record levels of sewage are being pumped into our rivers, lakes and seas.
“Under this Government, water executives will no longer line their own pockets whilst pumping out this filth.
“If they refuse to comply, they could end up in the dock and face prison time.”
As with most things, only time will tell if these new proposals will have any impact on cleaning up our much neglected waterways, but it is seen as the first step in the right direction.
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