Regulator has "serious concerns" over Wessex Water's sewage treatment
They're one of five suppliers named
Water regulator Ofwat say they have "serious concerns" about the sewage treatment works of Wessex Water.
The company, who supply water to much of Dorset and sewerage services to the New Forest, submitted a report in December, which the regulator said was worrying.
Wessex are one of five suppliers who Ofwat are concerned about, the others are Anglian Water, Northumbrian Water, Thames Water and Yorkshire Water.
Ofwat interim boss David Black said:
"The data that emerged at the end of last year suggested widespread shortcomings in how water companies were running sewage treatment works. The first phase of our investigation suggests those concerns are credible.
"We have identified shortcomings in most water and wastewater companies and are continuing to investigate.
"But we have already seen enough in five companies to cause serious concern and warrant us taking further action."
Ofwat said that the information it was sent in December raised one of several concerns for each company.
Meanwhile, they say they're keeping an eye on Southern Water, after they were handed a £90m fine for 6,791 unpermitted sewage discharges last summer.
Mr Black added:
"We will now dig deeper into what these five companies have been doing, with the prospect of formal enforcement against them if we find they are failing on obligations Ofwat enforces.
"We will have further questions for all companies on this.
"In the meantime, we expect them to make quick progress in addressing any potential non-compliance they might have, whilst strengthening how they manage their environmental obligations as a whole."
WHAT ARE THE COMPANY DOING ABOUT CONCERNS?
Wessex Water say they are undertaking a "thorough investigation" of all its treatment works.
A Wessex Water spokesperson said:
“Wessex Water is undertaking a thorough investigation, as part of an industry-wide programme agreed with the Environment Agency and Ofwat, into the accuracy of flow measurement and any implications for full to flow treatment (FFT) at all of its treatment works with flow consents.
“Findings are shared regularly with the Environment Agency and we are working with Ofwat to provide the further information they have now requested.”