Ofwat finds 'serious and unacceptable' breaches by Severn Trent Water

An investigation conducted by Ofwat found that the company failed to 'effectually' manage sewer drainage and wastewater, and was found to have historically lacked adequate processes to meet its legal duties.

Ofwat launched an enforcement case against Severn Trent Water in July 2024.

However, Severn Trent had already identified issues in its network and begun making improvements prior to the investigation.

Lynn Parker, senior director for enforcement at Ofwat, said: "Our investigation found serious and unacceptable breaches by Severn Trent Water — that is not in question, and the company accepts it.

"But their response to those failures sets a standard we expect from all companies: identifying the problem, proactively investing to fix it, and cooperating openly with the regulator."

Ofwat say that shareholders at Severn Trent Water have invested £98 million in direct infrastructure improvements, including expanded capacity at 65 wastewater treatment sites, storm tank upgrades, and nature-based solutions worth £26 million in Mansfield.

Ofwat has accepted a formal package of undertakings from Severn Trent Water to ensure it returns to compliance and determined that a financial penalty would not be appropriate in this case.

Ofwat also say that Severn Trent Water has taken responsibility for the failures and worked closely with the water regulator throughout the investigation, providing evidence of both the breaches and the remedial actions already underway.

Ms Parker said that the company’s actions show what 'genuine accountability' looks like in practice.

She said: "The 41 per cent reduction in spills we are now seeing is what genuine accountability looks like in practice.

"We will always act where companies fail their customers and the environment.

"But we will also be clear, publicly, when a company does the right thing."

This is the eighth case to be concluded as part of Ofwat’s wider wastewater sector investigation.