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Southern Water ex-leaders face trial over alleged wastewater testing cover-up
The Environment Agency says the alleged scheme helped Southern Water avoid penalties estimated at about 45 million pounds, and conspiracy to defraud could bring up to 10 years in prison.
Former employees of UK water supplier Southern Water, including ex-chief executive Matthew Wright, are set to face trial after the Environment Agency brought criminal proceedings over alleged manipulation of wastewater testing, covering the 2012 to 2017 period.
The regulator alleges the defendants conspired to defraud the Environment Agency and Ofwat by creating artificial no-flow events at wastewater treatment works to influence compliance checks. The Environment Agency said Southern Water, which has more than 4 million customers, did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
A high court judgment published on Wednesday rejected Wright’s argument that the Environment Agency lacked power to prosecute him for conspiracy to defraud. The judgment said the regulator’s allegation is that, using the company’s own assessment, the scheme allowed Southern Water to avoid penalties of about 45 million pounds, though the Environment Agency’s own assessment put the figure higher.
Conspiracy to defraud carries a maximum sentence of 10 years’ imprisonment, and the case will proceed at Medway magistrates court. The environment secretary, Angela Eagle, said the government is committed to tougher enforcement, including ending operator self-monitoring to prevent similar issues.