Severn Trent increases payout to shareholders despite its 60,000 sewage spills last year

Severn Trent Water treatment works in Sawley, Nottinghamshire. Photograph: David Sillitoe./The Guardian

Severn Trent has increased its payout to shareholders despite being responsible for 60,000 sewage spills last year.

Severn hiked its final dividend by 9% to 70.1p a share after pre-tax profits swelled almost 20% to £201.3m in the year to the end of March.