Watchdog finds unapproved plastic coatings compromised public water supply
LONDON, 17 May 2025 – Anglian Water has been hit with a record £1.42 million fine after using unapproved plastic-based materials in drinking water tanks, a breach that potentially affected around 1.3 million customers across the East of England.
The fine, issued at Northampton Crown Court, follows a detailed investigation by the Drinking Water Inspectorate (DWI), which found that Anglian had applied unapproved external plastic coatings to submerged pipework within drinking water tanks at four separate sites between June and December 2021.
The DWI reported that these materials began to deteriorate over time, breaking down into flakes and powder that entered the water supply. While the water provider alerted the regulator to the issue and pleaded guilty to five breaches of the Water Supply (Water Quality) Regulations 2016, the scale and seriousness of the failure led to the largest fine ever imposed in a case of this kind.
DWI’s Chief Inspector, Marcus Rink, was unequivocal in his criticism. “Public health and drinking water quality must be the highest priority, and there can be no compromise,” he said. “We’ve taken firm action in the public interest to ensure the company has removed all non-compliant material so that customers can remain confident in their water supplies.”
The investigation uncovered wider systemic failings within Anglian Water’s operations, including insufficient training for staff, poor contractor oversight, and a lack of rigorous checks across the supply chain. In some cases, the company continued to use tanks it knew contained non-approved products.
While Anglian has since rectified the issues and undertaken remedial work across its network, the consequences have sparked national concern and fresh political scrutiny over the water industry’s handling of public health.
Environment Secretary Steve Reed condemned the company’s actions as “a complete disgrace”. “Contamination of drinking water on any scale is scandalous,” he said. “The record £1.4 million fine handed down sends a clear signal that this criminal behaviour is unacceptable.”
Mr Reed pointed to broader reforms under the Government’s “Plan for Change” as part of the response to mounting public anger over pollution in rivers, lakes, and seas. “Our landmark Water Act ensures that water company executives who pollute face up to two years in prison and the loss of excessive bonuses,” he added.
The court proceedings mark a rare prosecution under Regulation 31 of the Water Supply (Water Quality) Regulations, which mandates that only tested, approved, and certified materials may come into contact with drinking water to safeguard public health.
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In a statement, an Anglian Water spokesperson expressed regret: “We apologise for and regret breaching Regulation 31 and accept the judgement for the five sites in 2021. The procedures we had in place fell short and, as a result, we have since invested significantly to improve these and have shared our learnings across the water industry.”
The company emphasised that there was no evidence of actual contamination reaching customers. “Despite the breach, there was no evidence of any contamination of the water supply, and the judge agreed, based on independent expert reports, that the risk to customers was very low,” the spokesperson added. “Protecting the water supply of our customers could not be more fundamental to our business, and this is reflected in the fact that we have not had a drinking water prosecution in over 20 years.”
Despite the relatively low risk identified, the case has reignited debate over the standards of oversight and accountability in the UK’s privatised water industry. With the government vowing stricter enforcement and regulatory reforms, this landmark fine is likely to be just the beginning of a wider reckoning.
