Water company bosses could face up to two years in prison due to new powers coming into force today
New powers under the Government’s landmark Water (Special Measures) Act 2025 have come into force today which could see water company bosses who cover up or hide illegal sewage spills face up to two years in prison.
King’s Speech – new Water Bill to see water chiefs face personal criminal liability for lawbreaking and bonus payments banned for poor environmental performance
King Charles' speech to Parliament this morning says the new Government will introduce a Water (Special Measures) Bill which includes strengthening Ofwat’s powers to ban the payment of bonuses if environmental standards are not met and strengthening regulation to ensure water bosses face personal criminal liability for lawbreaking.
News Showcase
-
Webinar to explore moving indirect potable water reuse to full implementation
UK water companies are invited to join an upcoming webinar which will explore how the sector can take indirect potable reuse (IPR) from concept to full-scale operational reality. -
Kohtari CEO says joined-up water intelligence needed to predict, not just react - not more data
James Sumsion, CEO of predictive water intelligence specialists Kohtari, says the water sector needs to take a giant leap forward, so that it can anticipate and act upon water quality issues - rather than merely react. -
IED compliance – using automated sliding floodgates to support secondary containment at water and sewerage company sites
Ray Moulds, Sales Director at Flood Control International, takes a look at how automated sliding floodgates are supporting secondary containment at water and sewerage company sites. -
Making storm overflow data make Sense – Metasphere launches dedicated monitoring device
With the UK government demanding a 50% reduction in storm overflow spills by 2029, the era of reactive management is over. Speaking in the House of Commons on 21 July 2025, then environment secretary Steve Reed said, “This Government will cut water companies’ sewage pollution in half by the end of the decade.”
Expert Focus
News Sections
Other Latest News
- Scottish Water awards contracts for two new Digital Partners totalling £230 million
- Thames Water tenders major c£228 million AMP8 framework contract for sewer rehabilitation inc. CCTV and cleaning
- Water UK warns lack of water risks blocking more than a million new homes – and data centres water demand “explicitly excluded” from National Framework for Water Resources
- South East Water extends hosepipe restrictions to all supply areas
- Environment Agency confirms more areas in England now in Prolonged Dry Weather status
- Severn Trent to launch market engagement for up to £25 billion multi-AMP capital design and delivery frameworks
Watch
-
Scottish Water completes £235m investment in two-way connection between drinking water networks
Hear how Scottish Water has completed its £235 million Ayrshire Glasgow Resilience Project - customers across Greater Glasgow, Ayrshire and East Renfrewshire will now benefit from a more secure and resilient water supply. -
United Utilities accelerates investment to reduce spills from storm overflows across Northwest
Hear how United Utilities is accelerating its investment to reduce spills from storm overflows across the Northwest. -
Working for WSP - what if you could build a career as unique as you? With us, you can
Find out more about the remarkable career opportunities on offer at WSP - scroll down to watch the inspirational video.
Top Stories
- Scottish Water awards contracts for two new Digital Partners totalling £230 million
- Thames Water tenders major c£228 million AMP8 framework contract for sewer rehabilitation inc. CCTV and cleaning
- Water UK warns lack of water risks blocking more than a million new homes – and data centres water demand “explicitly excluded” from National Framework for Water Resources
Login / Register
New Account Registrations
To register for a new account with Waterbriefing, please contact us via email at waterbriefing@imsbis.org
Existing waterbriefing users - log into the new website using your original username and the new password 'waterbriefing'. You can then change your password once logged in.