Water pollution: Watchdog accuses Defra of major legal failings over sewage pollution

Michael Holder
clock • 6 min read
Credit: iStock
Image:

Credit: iStock

Office for Environmental Protection warns Defra, the Environment Agency, and Ofwat could face court action unless immediate efforts are made to remedy alleged breaches of laws governing sewage overflows

The government and regulators have been accused of major breaches of environmental laws governing sewage pollution by the Office for Environmental Protection (OEP), which today warned they could face court...

To continue reading this article...

Join BusinessGreen

In just a few clicks you can start your free BusinessGreen Lite membership for 12 months, providing you access to:

  • Three complimentary articles per month covering the latest real-time news, analysis, and opinion from Europe’s leading source of information on the Green economy and business
  • Receive important and breaking news stories via our daily news alert
  • Our weekly newsletter with the best of the week’s green business news and analysis

Join now

 

Already a BusinessGreen member?

Login

More on Legislation

The Chancery Lane Project unveils new climate clauses for property lawyers

The Chancery Lane Project unveils new climate clauses for property lawyers

New and updated clauses designed to help lawyers provide clients with better advice on how to respond to climate risks

clock 05 August 2025 • 2 min read
'Geneva, this is your moment': Leaders urged to deliver 'bold and ambitious' Global Plastics Treaty

'Geneva, this is your moment': Leaders urged to deliver 'bold and ambitious' Global Plastics Treaty

The sixth, and potentially final, round of talks to deliver an international accord to tackle plastic pollution is getting underway in Geneva - but big divisions on how to secure a deal remain

Stuart Stone
clock 05 August 2025 • 7 min read
Anglian Water agrees to pay £62.8m after 'serious' sewage spill failures

Anglian Water agrees to pay £62.8m after 'serious' sewage spill failures

Water supplier agrees redress package with industry regulator Ofwat to fund infrastructure upgrades and environmental projects

Michael Holder
clock 29 July 2025 • 3 min read