Over £3m in fines for Anglian Water will be used for cleanup projects

PRESS RELEASE FROM ALISTAIR STRATHERN MP

WEDNESDAY 8^th OCTOBER 2025

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Alistair Strathern, MP for the Hitchin constituency, has welcomed news that just under £3.1m in fines to Anglian Water for sewage spills will be invested in cleaning up waterways across the region.

Nationally, over £10 million in water company fines has been channelled into cleanup projects to repair the damage done by sewage, directly benefitting communities and the environment which have been harmed by rulebreaking. 

Through the Water Restoration Fund, money from fines handed to five water companies will fund 51 projects across England, from active measures such as rewilding and restoring floodplains to funding for assessments of water quality and development of improvement plans. 

Anglian Water, South West Water, Thames Water, Yorkshire Water and United Utilities were forced to pay millions after causing pollution incidents between April 2022 and October 2023. 

From restoring riverbeds in Exmoor National Park to tackling septic tank spills into Windermere, these projects will restore precious habitats, improve flood resilience and enable local wildlife to thrive. 

Alistair Strathern MP said: 

“Labour is cleaning up the mess the Tories left in our rivers, lakes, and seas - for good. 

“I’m thrilled to see projects across the country get the support they need to keep fighting the damage of water pollution locally. 

“People are fed up with filthy water and broken promises. We are listening and acting.”

Environment Secretary Emma Reynolds said: 

“I share people’s anger at the damage caused by sewage pollution and want communities to once again feel they can take pride in their environment. 

“This money from water company fines will be directed back into local projects to tackle pollution and support long-term plans for nature restoration. 

“Under our Plan for Change we’re resetting the water industry – holding water companies to account and reinvesting in areas harmed by their rule breaking.”