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Thames Water fined £122.7 million over sewage spills and shareholder payouts
Thames Water has been issued a staggering fine of £122.7 million for breaching regulations regarding sewage spills and shareholder payouts. This penalty marks the largest ever imposed by the water industry regulator, Ofwat, which criticized the company for failing to protect both its customers and the environment.
The regulator confirmed that the hefty fines would be covered by Thames Water and its investors, sparing customers from additional financial burdens after a recent increase in water bills.
In a statement, Thames Water emphasized its serious commitment to environmental responsibility, while acknowledging its ongoing struggle with a staggering £20 billion debt.
The fines emerge amid persistent criticism of Thames Water's performance, particularly following numerous incidents involving sewage discharges and leaks. The company serves around a quarter of the UK’s population, primarily in London and southern England, and employs approximately 8,000 individuals.
Despite revealing severe financial troubles nearly two years ago, Thames Water secured a £3 billion rescue loan earlier this year to avert collapse. On Wednesday, Ofwat mandated the fine after completing two investigations into the company's operations.
A significant portion of the penalty, totaling £104.5 million, was levied for violations related to Thames Water’s sewage management practices. Ofwat's findings indicate that approximately three-quarters of the company's storm overflows were discharging routinely, rather than in exceptional circumstances, raising serious environmental concerns.
Additionally, Thames Water faced an £18.2 million fine for breaches associated with shareholder payouts. The regulator identified that two recent dividends—one of £37.5 million to the holding company in October 2023, and another of £131.3 million in March 2024—violated established rules. Ofwat described these payouts as "undeserved" and not reflective of the company's performance.
David Black, chief executive of Ofwat, stated that the fines were a clear indication of Thames Water's failure to meet its obligations to customers and the environment. He noted a series of operational failures in maintaining adequate infrastructure.
Thames Water is currently in a state of "cash lock-up," meaning no further dividend payments can occur without Ofwat's approval. The company had projected a complete cash depletion by mid-April before securing the rescue loan, prompting government readiness for possible intervention.
Regardless of the company's future, household water services will continue uninterrupted. Ofwat reiterated that the fines would not be passed on to customers, with the collected funds directed to the Treasury, although the intended use remains unconfirmed.
The regulator highlighted that the March 2024 dividend was funded through a tax break, which Thames must now repay to recover that value.
In April, water bills in England and Wales saw an average increase of £10 per month, with Thames customers facing a rise from £488 to £639 annually. Ofwat initially proposed the £104 million fine last August, confirming it along with the additional penalty this week.
Environment Secretary Steve Reed remarked that the "era of profiting from failure is over." Recently, Thames Water’s chief, Chris Weston, informed MPs that the company's survival hinged on Ofwat's leniency regarding fines.
In light of the situation, the firm has paused its scheme for substantial executive bonuses tied to securing the rescue loan, responding to public and governmental disapproval.
A Thames Water spokesperson reiterated their commitment to environmental stewardship, noting that Ofwat recognized some progress in addressing storm overflow issues. The company continues its pursuit of new investment, currently in talks with private investment group KKR for a potential cash infusion of up to £5 billion. However, the deal's completion hinges on lenders accepting a discount on the nearly £20 billion owed to them, with some junior lenders possibly facing complete write-offs.