United Utilities faces sewage spills probe as watchdog opens nationwide investigation

All water companies in England and Wales are now under scrutiny for potential pollution from sewage treatment works.

Ofwat has now issued an extensive investigation into environmental pollution across all 11 water firms - the regulator said it showed "how concerned we are about the sector's environmental performance".

It has now issued formal enforcement notices to the last four water firms Dwr Cymru Welsh Water, Hafren Dyfrdwy, Severn Trent, and United Utilities.

READ MORE: "The footage is extremely unattractive": Mum's breasts FALL OUT of top as she hurls stones at neighbour in bitter 5am attack after drinking vodka with friends

It means the water regulator has gathered evidence and found the firms may have breached their obligations to protect the environment, which could lead to fines.

Ofwat opened a major investigation in November 2021 into the companies' sewage treatment works and has handed fines amounting to more than £300 million in recent years to the companies it found to have breached their legal obligations.

The regulator has already taken out enforcement cases against Anglian Water, Northumbrian Water, South West Water, Thames Water, Wessex Water and Yorkshire Water, with extensive investigations ongoing.

It is also still monitoring Southern Water following a previous enforcement case in 2019.

David Black, Ofwat’s chief executive, said: “The fact that Ofwat now has enforcement cases with all 11 of the wastewater companies in England and Wales demonstrates how concerned we are about the sector’s environmental performance.

“This is the largest and most complex investigation Ofwat has undertaken.”

But Mr Black said the regulator wants to conclude the cases “as quickly as possible”, so that the sector can