We Call on DEFRA to ensure water quality regulation is sufficiently robust where the operating Water Companies demonstrate criminal records for flouting UK regulatory law.

Six water companies want to recycle sewage for drinking water for the first time in the UK. Southern Water's disdain for the law is well documented - most recently in 2021 where it was fined £90M for circumventing regulation for its own financial gain! Mr Justice Jeremy Johnson, sentencing Southern Water said the company had a history of criminal activity for its “previous and persistent pollution of the environment”. It had 168 previous offences and cautions but had ignored these and not altered its behaviour."

So, do we REALLY want the minimum quality of RECYCLED SEWAGE into DRINKING WATER to be in the hands of Southern Water, a company that has a demonstrable track record of disregarding the requirements of regulators and the law charged with looking after our health and safety?

Do we REALLY want the minimum quality of RECYCLED SEWAGE into DRINKING WATER to be policed by regulators who's regulation efforts took several years to bring a case?

Sewage recycling is going to be new to the UK c.2030. Regulators need to keep a close eye on water quality. They need to be reacting immediately about poor water quality to protect public health. Those signing this petition demand that regulation is tightened to ensure robust protection from companies where profit appears to historically prioritised over quality.

Southern Water over past decades has taken advantage of poor regulation which has led to widespread deliberate failings demonstrating a shocking and  wholesale disregard for the environment and for human health. The most recent fine was £90M; The court were told Southern Water deliberately presented a misleading picture of compliance to the Environment Agency, hindering proper regulation of the company.

The head of the Environment Agency said "Like all water companies, Southern Water has a responsibility to operate in accordance with permit conditions and protect against serious pollution. In its deliberate, widespread and repeated offending, it has failed the environment, customers and the system of environmental laws the public puts its trust in."