Water firms in England could face harsher sewage fines under new Environment Agency powers

Investigations into pollution can take years, and less than 1% have resulted in a prosecution. Photograph: Camera Lucida Environment/Alamy

Water companies in England could face more, and automatic, fines for sewage dumping under new Environment Agency powers.

The government is consulting on allowing the regulator to use a lower, civil, standard of proof instead of the higher criminal standard, for minor to moderate environmental offences.