Sewage vote: Conservative MPs vote against law that would have sent water companies to court

EMBARGO: Immediate Release

Tonight, Conservative MPs have voted against the Liberal Democrat amendment, put forward by Tim Farron, to the Criminal Justice Bill, which would have sent water companies to court for sewage dumping. 

Liberal Democrat Environment spokesperson Tim Farron MP said: 

“This is a scandal. 

“Conservative MPs have yet again voted against taking tough action on polluting and profiteering water firms. 

“This government just doesn’t get it and is standing idly by whilst water firms destroy our lakes, rivers and beaches with raw sewage. 

“This amendment would have delivered justice for swimmers, wildlife and our environment. Instead, Conservative MPs backed the water companies, who are already stuffing their pockets with profits and bonuses. Frankly, the whole thing stinks.”

ENDS

NOTES TO EDITORS:

The amendment from Liberal Democrat MP Tim Farron:

“Offence of failing to meet pollution performance commitment levels

1. A water or water and sewerage company “C” commits an offence where C has – 

1) failed to meet its pollution performance commitment level for three consecutive years; or

2) experienced an increase in –

                                      i. total pollution incidents per 10,000km2, or

                                     ii. serious pollution incidents for three consecutive years.

2. For the purposes of this section –

“water or water and sewerage company” means companies which are responsible for the provision of water, or water and sewerage, services and which are regulated by Ofwat and the Environment Agency;

“pollution performance commitment level” means the level of performance on pollution that the company has committed to deliver, and which is reported against by Ofwat in its annual water company performance report;

“total pollution incidents per 10,000km2” and “serious pollution incidents” mean the relevant figures under those headings reported by the Environment Agency in its annual environmental performance report.

1. If guilty of an offence under this section, C is liable –

2. on summary conviction, to a fine;

3. on conviction on indictment, to a fine.