The UK’s Environment Agency has launched criminal proceedings against Southern Water and four former employees, including its former chief executive Matthew Wright, for alleged conspiracy to defraud wastewater testing results. The agency alleges that between 2012 and 2017, the four conspired to defraud the agency and water regulator Ofwat by manipulating the self-monitoring testing regime through "artificial no-flow events" at wastewater treatment works.

This manipulation involved deliberately altering sample-taking procedures to avoid compliance checks, which is an offence. Conspiracy to defraud carries a maximum sentence of 10 years’ imprisonment. Southern Water, serving over 4mn customers in Kent, Sussex, and Hampshire, will also face charges of breaching environmental permits related to the same conduct.

Three additional individuals are also charged with failing to comply with environmental permits. The Environment Agency stated its commitment to prosecuting those who commit serious environmental offences.