Legal action brought against six water firms alleges they underreported the scale of sewage pollution, allowing them to charge customers higher bills.
Six water companies have been accused of overcharging customers by up to £1.5 billion by underreporting the scale of sewage pollution in rivers and waterways.
Thames Water, Yorkshire Water, Anglian Water, Severn Trent, Northumbrian Water and United Utilities appeared in a Competition Appeals Tribunal last week.
The class action, which is seeking compensation for customers, has been brought by Professor Carolyn Roberts, an environmental and water specialist.
The tribunal, which opened on Monday September 23, 2024, heard claims that the companies had misled Ofwat and the Environment Agency by underreporting the extent of sewage discharges.
This allegedly meant they were allowed to charge higher prices to customers than would have been the case had the level of sewage pollution been reported accurately.
The amount is alleged to be in the region of £800 million to £1.5 billion.
In a statement made earlier this year, Professor Roberts outlined the reasons for bringing the case, which is believed to be the first environmental class action.
“In England and Wales there is growing anger about the state in which sewage discharges leave our rivers and beaches,” she said.
“The latest Environment Agency data shows that for 2023 Water Companies have doubled their sewage discharges.”
This situation, she pointed out, was despite Ofwat’s and the Environment Agency'’ parallel investigations into sewage treatment works.
“I hope the legal claims I am bringing on behalf of millions of customers, which now include Thames Water customers, play a part in bringing desperately needed change in the water industry,” added Professor Roberts.
The water companies are defending the allegations being made in the tribunal.
You can find out more about the case here.
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