Tory duty on Ofwat protects profits over reducing sewage pollution, experts say

Last year, water companies were ordered to cut more than £100m from customers’ bills after repeated failures to stop sewage pollution. Photograph: Camera Lucida Environment/Alamy

The Conservatives have pushed through a duty on the water regulator to prioritise growth, which experts have said will incentivise water companies to value their bottom lines over reducing sewage pollution.

Campaigners fear this move will weaken Ofwat’s ability to crack down on water companies as it may force the regulator to consider a company’s financial situation and the impact on its growth if the firm is heavily fined for polluting.