Overview
- Ofwat says Wessex Water failed to properly operate, maintain and upgrade its wastewater assets, leading to storm overflow spills that should not have occurred.
- Required actions include sealing private sewer pipes, accelerating investment at specific storm overflows, installing additional monitoring equipment and helping customers manage rainwater.
- The regulator states the £11m package cannot be recovered from customers, despite Wessex Water having raised average bills by about 20% this year.
- This is the sixth case in Ofwat’s broad investigation, which has already resulted in roughly £240m of enforcement across other major water companies.
- Wessex Water cites more than £150m invested since 2020 and outlines further plans, including increased spending by 2030, as Ofwat commits to continued oversight of delivery.