West Dorset’s water companies will soon face a fourfold increase in inspections as part of the Government’s plan to tackle illegal discharges and poor performance, plans which the Environment Agency has already started. It follows the recent news that 100% of storm overflows in West Dorset are now monitored.
West Dorset MP Chris Loder, who welcomes the plans, said: “With greater transparency and evidence, both Wessex Water and South West Water now face increased announced and unannounced inspections to tackle non-compliance, illegal discharges, and to address sites at risk. Stricter regulation of the water industry is needed to ensure our waterways remain healthy. It will mean by March 2025, 4,000 water company inspections across England.”
Mr Loder added: “The full funding for these increased inspections – £55 million – is derived from grant-in-aid from Defra to the Environment Agency, and from additional funding through water quality permit charges levied on water companies.”
