Insurance
Home›Insurance›Industry & Deals›Southern Water ex-boss Matthew Wright faces criminal t…
Southern Water ex-boss Matthew Wright faces criminal trial over sewage tests
The Environment Agency alleges Wright and three other former employees created artificial “no-flow” events between 2012 and 2017 to influence compliance checks, and Southern Water is also charged with breaching related environmental permits.
The former chief executive of Southern Water, Matthew Wright, is set to face a criminal trial after being charged with conspiracy to defraud, according to the UK Environment Agency action described by the Guardian Business. Wright and three former employees are accused of manipulating sewage wastewater testing results to avoid tens of millions of pounds in fines tied to sewage discharges.
The charges focus on operator self-monitoring, which was introduced in 2009 to reduce regulatory costs by allowing water companies to test and monitor discharges rather than relying on independent regulator testing. Prosecutors allege the defendants created artificial “no-flow” events at wastewater treatment works between 2012 and 2017 to influence compliance checks, despite strict rules intended to protect sample independence and accuracy.
The Guardian Business reports Southern Water, serving more than 4 million customers, is also charged with breaching environmental permits linked to the same conduct. Three additional individuals are charged over alleged failures to comply with environmental permits associated with the case.
The prosecution follows a long investigation by the Environment Agency, and an effort by the defendants to remain anonymous was overruled by the high court. A court ruling published on Wednesday rejected Wright’s argument that the EA lacked power to prosecute him for conspiracy to defraud, clearing the way for a trial beginning in September, the outlet said.