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Thames water, river killers.

Thanks for putting the link up. I had to read the headline twice to make sure i had read the amount correctly - maybe the judge was a fisherman?

Bottom line is that unless the fines handed out are going to hurt it's too easy for companies to ignore or hide the truth and take the risk of paying a small fine, previously at least. £20 million has to hurt though?
 
Bottom line is that unless the fines handed out are going to hurt it's too easy for companies to ignore or hide the truth and take the risk of paying a small fine, previously at least. £20 million has to hurt though?
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By all accounts that is exactly what has been happening with the water authorities around the country. They have been taking the fines rather than deal with the problem or potential problem.The regulator has been expedentially increasing the fines levied on the water companies in order to get their attention. I guess this has done the job and I would expect more to follow.
The water companies make huge profits so these fines will start to affect their bottom line and 'shareholder value' - hopefully this might get them to take their social responsibilities seriously.
 
Just been listening to coverage of this on R4, I suspect the judges comments in summing up will weigh more heavily on the minds of the Thames Water directors than the fine itself which is nothing to an organisation with such deep pockets and well financed institutional investors.

Offcom must now make sure that the fine is not passed onto the consumer, quite a hard task I'd say.

In pollution incidents such as this, I'd like a law which also requires the senior management team to be fined a proportion of their salary and made to forfeit any bonuses.
 
All good points. The real damage can often be from the negative / adverse publicity that this type of offence causes so hopefully the BBC and dailies etc will pick the story up, I'll check later.

Furthermore customers who have a vested interest in rivers - boaters, rowers, the obvious (us) might be compelled to move elsewhere. If the AT and others really want to be relevant then highlight stories like this and lobby their members!

As has been mentioned they can in theory afford the fine but adverse publicity can take years to overcome.
 
There will undoubtedly be a lot more cases going through at the moment across the country, so this could be the tip of the iceberg. I have it from a very reliable source who works with all the major water boards that the threat of these fines has got them finally investing in major maintenance & improvement programmes that previously they would ignore - weighing up the cost of investment vs an Ofwat fine. Directors are accountable to the shareholders , so once the dividends are effected , heads normally roll.
Nevertheless serves them right, it is a disgrace.
 
Adam Francis said:
All good points. The real damage can often be from the negative / adverse publicity that this type of offence causes so hopefully the BBC and dailies etc will pick the story up, I'll check later.

Furthermore customers who have a vested interest in rivers - boaters, rowers, the obvious (us) might be compelled to move elsewhere. If the AT and others really want to be relevant then highlight stories like this and lobby their members!

As has been mentioned they can in theory afford the fine but adverse publicity can take years to overcome.
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Others maybe but I don't see how the trust can while they continue to take money from TW as sponsorship
 
Great, its a start, a proper fine not just a naughty boy tap on the wrist,lets hope this is the way that courts look at pollution fines from now on.I was told by an EA official that Thames will be going through prosecutions for sewage farm breaches and dumping in the Colne valley soon.Its about time they started targeting the directors and putting them in prison.
 
Following this afternoon's sad events, I think the Thames Water fine will be lost in the small print in tomorrow's papers. My thoughts are with those who have lost a loved one and with those recovering in hospital.
 
What I would like to know is, where is the money going. If this is really justice then it should be spent on improvements to the Thames river system. But I am not silly enough to think it will !
 
On the BBC news (5 Live) they commented on the damage done and included a licensed crayfish operator who'd lost his business as a result of the pollution. Presumably, he is entitled to some compensation. There must have been some sort of clean up operation by the EA and contractors, so the cost of this would undoubtedly be taken from the amount to cover it. As for the rest, who knows?
 
Adam Francis said:
All good points. The real damage can often be from the negative / adverse publicity that this type of offence causes so hopefully the BBC and dailies etc will pick the story up, I'll check later.

Furthermore customers who have a vested interest in rivers - boaters, rowers, the obvious (us) might be compelled to move elsewhere. If the AT and others really want to be relevant then highlight stories like this and lobby their members!

As has been mentioned they can in theory afford the fine but adverse publicity can take years to overcome.
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The thing is with water companies is you can't just go to another water company like you can with gas or electricity. You have to use whoever serves your area.
 
Adam Francis said:
Good point. Probably their customers with an increase!
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A Thames Water spokesman on the BBC news last night claimed that the fine would be paid for by the shareholders and not by the customers. But I'm not convinced - it always comes back to the customer in some way or another.
 
Adam Francis said:
Thanks for putting the link up. I had to read the headline twice to make sure i had read the amount correctly - maybe the judge was a fisherman?

Bottom line is that unless the fines handed out are going to hurt it's too easy for companies to ignore or hide the truth and take the risk of paying a small fine, previously at least. £20 million has to hurt though?
Click to expand...

The problem is that even that amount doesn't hurt Thames Water....They are still doing it...They were discharging Raw Sewage on the River Colne at Maple Cross Yesterday. The EA won't or can't stop it although it was reported numerous times on the EA hotline number. See yesterdays pics from Martin Lydon.

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?...31679121.1073741866.1489329313&type=3&theater

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?...31679121.1073741866.1489329313&type=3&theater

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?...31679121.1073741866.1489329313&type=3&theater
 
...and they haven't sorted it out with the £billions they say they have spent since 1989 when they were privatised...It is the same now as it has always been, if not worse...What we are seeing on our riverbanks is completely the opposite to what Thames Water and the EA hype out about clean rivers and water quality. People don't need to be taken to visit a TW sewage works to have a look what they do inside where the wool is pulled over their eyes and spoken to like at school children..., take them down to the Thames Water discharge points on the Colne and to let them see reality and fact...What they do when you leave after the visit and behind everyone’s backs is a different story line…
The pics show the cappuccino sewage sludge and scum offering from a Thames Water Raw Sewage discharge on the River Colne..which flows into the River Thames where they have just been fined £20million…and they still do it...They never learn...Happy Paddling to anglers and all the kids and parents out there.... It is Hazardous Waste, full of Diseases, carcinogens, Viruses, Bacteria, Heavy Metals, Santiary Towels, Condoms, Nappy Liners, Toilet Paper and so on. It kills rivers, fish, and all riverine lifeforms and wildlife all along the food chain.
 
Graham Young said:
Others maybe but I don't see how the trust can while they continue to take money from TW as sponsorship
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1.5 'BILLION' LITRES of untreated sewage (Raw Sewage) flowing into the River Thames. C’mon, 1.5 'BILLION' LITRES IS NOT an accidental 'SPILL'…it is a deliberate ongoing Discharge and saves them money IN NOT treating sewage to make it safe AND ITS GOING ON IN OTHER RIVERS AND STREAMS.. We all pay for it to be treated in our water and sewage bills TO KEEP OUR RIVERS, THE ENVIRONMENT, FISH AND WILDLIFE...AND US....SAFE...

Sometimes and Rarely, they get caught ...but most other times...THEY DONT. The water and Sewage privatised profiteering companies are now allowed to monitor themselves and they must report incidents to the EA (the EA don't monitor the sewage discharges anymore).
Its like a burglar ringing the police to report he has just robbed a house down the road and to come and arrest him. It don't happen...
 
Considering we all have to pay for our clean water, from the water companies, is there a case for a criminal prosecution for taking money under false pretences. The EA also, their remit being to maintain or improve fisheries and water quality. We have to pay our license surely they're also taking money under false pretences.
Perhaps get one of the daily newspapers on the case. Pretty damning evidence in those photos.
Could be worth getting the Police involved?
 
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