…By Judah Olanisebee for TDPel Media.
Water Company Bosses Forgo Bonuses Amid Anger Over Pollution
Amid growing public concern over the pollution of rivers in Britain, three chief executives of water companies have decided not to accept their bonuses for the year.
The companies affected are Yorkshire Water, Thames Water and South West Water, and the executives involved are Nicola Shaw, Sarah Bentley and Susan Davy, respectively.
Shaw said she is aware of the anger over river pollution and thus refused her bonus this year, which could have been between £600,000 and £800,000 if the company had met its performance targets.
In 2021, Yorkshire Water paid out £878,000 in bonuses to its directors.
Commitment to Improvement
According to Shaw, the decision not to accept the bonus was the right thing to do, given her commitment to improving Yorkshire Water’s performance.
The company has already started implementing a turnaround plan.
Environmental Performance Assessment (EPA) of the company has improved to a three-star rating, and the company has also started a significant new sewer project for Ilkley, in addition to a £180 million programme of work to improve the storm overflows in the region.
It is also developing plans for its most extensive environmental programme since privatisation.
Positive Response
The announcement by the water company bosses that they will forego their bonuses has been positively received by many, including the Consumer Council for Water, which welcomes the move.
However, a House of Lords committee report in March recommended that water bosses should not receive bonuses if their companies fail to meet their targets and pollute the environment.
The report also highlighted the need for investment in infrastructure and for better co-ordination between government and water companies.
Overhauling the Sewer System
Dr Harvey Wood, director of the Clean Rivers Trust, has noted the pressure that the sewage system is under, particularly as the population grows and house building continues.
The sewer system, he says, is generally inadequate, especially in rural and semi-rural areas, where there is a need for an increase in sewer size.
Wood believes that a nationwide overhaul is required to alleviate the pressure on the system.