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

Michael Holder
Author spotlight

Michael Holder

Editor

View profile
More from Michael Holder

CCUS: Report warns carbon capture projects still face challenging 'financing gap'

Can Scotland learn from past mistakes to deliver a 'just transition' for its industrial base?

More on Legislation

'We'll be less safe': Barack Obama joins chorus of criticism as Trump ditches key US climate ruling
Legislation

'We'll be less safe': Barack Obama joins chorus of criticism as Trump ditches key US climate ruling

White House moves to reverse 'endangerment ruling' that provides bedrock for federal attempts to regulate greenhouse gas emissions

Michael Holder
Michael Holder
clock 13 February 2026 • 4 min read
'Largest deregulatory action in American history': Trump administration to move against CO2 endangerment ruling
Legislation

'Largest deregulatory action in American history': Trump administration to move against CO2 endangerment ruling

White House to launch process of formally reversing 2009 ‘endangerment finding’ that provides the basis for federal emissions regulations

James Murray
James Murray
clock 11 February 2026 • 2 min read
Industrial Accelerator Act: Brussels urged to boost demand for low carbon products
Legislation

Industrial Accelerator Act: Brussels urged to boost demand for low carbon products

Coalition of 40 trade bodies, think tanks, and campaign groups urge European Commission to deliver mandates and green procurement rules that can create 'lead markets' for low carbon materials and products

James Murray
James Murray
clock 11 February 2026 • 3 min read