Introduce prison sentences for water company executives guilty of sewage spills

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openDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural Affairsby Rebecca KingOpened 29 July 2026

Background

We call on the Government to pass a law which introduces prison sentences for water company directors and senior executives whose companies are guilty of illegally discharging sewage into bodies of water.

Additional details

The Government should legislate to make water company directors and senior executives personally criminally liable for serious or repeated illegal sewage spills. Those found to have knowingly, recklessly or through gross negligence allowed unlawful discharges should face prison sentences where environmental laws have been repeatedly breached.

Where it’s popular

Constituencies with the most signatures on this petition.

Source: UK Government & Parliament Petitions service. Petition ID: 775501.