Wessex Water controversies
Controversies tied to this brand in public sources. A listing is not a finding of fault.
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2020
Avonmouth GENeco explosion
An explosion at an anaerobic-digestion facility operated by GENeco killed four people, including three Wessex Water employees. The official investigation was closed in 2024 because there was insufficient evidence to support a manslaughter conviction.
2010
Shaftesbury sewage pollution
Wessex Water was fined £6,000 plus £2,235 in costs after sewage polluted the River Stour near Shaftesbury in 2009.
2008
River Stour pollution fine
The company was fined £3,000 plus £1,960 in costs for allowing sewage to pollute the River Stour.
2007
River Frome sewage pollution
Wessex Water pleaded guilty to an offence under the Water Resources Act 1991 after untreated sewage entered the River Frome. It received a £1,500 fine and was ordered to pay £1,589 in costs; related pollution incidents were reported in 2007.
2004
Multiple pollution fines
The company received six fines during the year for environmental pollution incidents.
2003
Washford River pollution conviction
Wessex Water pleaded guilty after polluting matter entered the Washford River in Somerset and was fined £5,000 plus £1,000 in costs. The Environment Agency also described it as a repeat pollution offender.
2002
Dowlais Brook pollution fine
The company was fined £8,000 for causing pollution in Dowlais Brook, Cwmbran, in an incident dating from 2001.
1999
Environment Agency pollution ranking
The Environment Agency ranked Wessex Water fourth in a list of ten major polluters in England.
1998
Weymouth marina sewage discharge
Wessex Water was convicted after more than one million gallons of raw sewage entered a Weymouth marina during a busy August Bank Holiday period. The company was fined £5,000 and ordered to pay £500 in costs.