Nov
30

Author: Chloe Smith, Updated: 30 November 2022 11:09

Today the government has announced that fines for water companies that pollute rivers and seas will be re-invested into schemes benefitting our natural environment to enhance nature, reduce pollution and protect wildlife.

 

Water company fines reached a record level last year and the volume of sewage being discharged into our waters is unacceptable.

 

That is why I welcome that the government are making sure that fines for water companies that pollute rivers and seas will be re-invested into schemes benefitting our environment. Penalties of over £141 million have been levied since 2015 and this announcement builds on our increase in the cap on fines along with new rules and robust targets requiring water companies to invest £56 billion into the water infrastructure – the largest investment in their history.

 

I welcome the governments commitment to clamp down on illegal activity and where water companies do not step up and to take robust action to improve public health, reduce pollution in rivers, and protect wildlife. I want our environment left in a better state than we found it for future generations. I am confident that these proposals will help care for our environment, which is one of my key priorities I have set out for my constituents. To find out more about what action I am taking both in Norwich and Westminster for this work, please visit: https://www.chloesmith.org.uk/myplan/environment