Outside water After the boss admitted to illegally dumping sewage thousands of times in five years, he has been fined a record 90 million pounds.
The company admitted 6,971 unlicensed sewage discharges—the equivalent of a pipe leaking for seven consecutive years.
Tons of sewage polluted rivers and coastal waters Kent Hampshire with Sussex Between 2010 and 2015, the court heard the case.
Each of the 51 violations seen in isolation showed shocking and complete disregard for the environment
At the time of the sentencing, the distinguished Judge Johnson stated that the company’s behavior was “shocking” in 51 formal confessions.
He said: “Each of the 51 violations seen in isolation shows a disregard for the environment, the precious and fragile ecosystems along the coastline of North Kent and Solent, human health, and fisheries and other legal businesses. The vitality of coastal waters.
“Every offense is not isolated. It is necessary to sentence all the crimes that the company has pleaded guilty to. But even so, it does not reflect the criminal behavior of the defendant.
“That’s because the continuous pollution of the environment over the past years has exacerbated illegal behavior.”
The bosses deliberately painted a misleading picture of compliance Environment Agency The Canterbury Criminal Court learned that this triggered criminal proceedings.
Some dumped objects hit the protected area and caused major environmental hazards to the shellfish waters.
The criminal proceedings came after Southern Water was fined 126 million pounds for regulatory errors in the same period in 2019.
In deliberate, widespread and repeated violations, it has failed the environment, customers, and environmental legal system trusted by the public.
UNEP President Emma Howard Boyd (Emma Howard Boyd) said: “Because nature is in crisis, no one should benefit from breaking environmental laws.
“This sentence shows that fines for environmental crimes are starting to reach the same level as the maximum fines for financial services crimes, which is good.”
She added: “Like all water companies, Southern Water has the responsibility to operate in accordance with the permit conditions and prevent serious pollution.
“In deliberate, widespread and repeated offenses, it has failed the environment, customers, and environmental legal system trusted by the public.”
This case is the largest criminal investigation in the 25-year history of the Environment Agency, involving 16 wastewater treatment plants and a storm overflow pollution crime.
I apologize for the historic events that led to today’s sentencing and fines
Environment Minister Rebecca Pow said: “The results of the investigation in this case are shocking and totally unacceptable. Water companies should not let this happen. Companies that do so will be punished by the law.
“This fine is the largest ever imposed on a water company. It is absolutely appropriate and welcome.”
Southern Water Company CEO Ian McCauley said: “I apologize for the historic event that led to today’s judgment and fine.
“I know that people who rely on us to protect the precious environment in the south of England must be able to trust us.
“What happened in history is completely unacceptable, and Southern Water acknowledges this fact.”
He added that fines will not affect customers’ bills and shareholders will bear the costs.
