BRITAIN’S three biggest water companies have been fined £168 million for sewage spills in the first results of a landmark probe into all 11 of England and Wales’ water firms.

Ofwat chief executive David Black branded Thames Water, Yorkshire Water and Northumbrian Water’s records of polluting rivers and waterways “a catalogue of failure” as they were ordered to pay penalties of £104m, £47m and £17m respectively.

“Our investigation has shown how they routinely released sewage into our rivers and seas, rather than ensuring that this only happens in exceptional circumstances as the law intends,” the head of the regulator said, insisting that the burden of the fines would fall on investors, rather than customers.