Anti-pollution law to threaten water bosses with jail

Published On Sep 4, 2024, 5:30 PM

The UK government is proposing new legislation to impose stricter regulations on water companies in England and Wales, aiming to combat pollution in rivers and seas. The Water (Special Measures) Bill would permit regulators to impose severe penalties, including prison sentences for executives who fail to cooperate with investigations into pollution incidents. Additionally, this legislation will allow regulators to prohibit bonus payments for underperforming executives. Despite this initiative, some environmental advocates criticize the measures as insufficient, arguing they merely address surface issues rather than the systemic failures currently plaguing the water industry. The bill also aims to ensure future infrastructure improvements and responsible oversight of water companies.