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Guardian

Guardian

Top-rated UK water firms ‘dumped 1,374 illegal spills into rivers’

Guardian
Summary
Nutrition label

83% Informative

Severn Trent Water and United Utilities were responsible for 1,374 raw sewage spills.

The two firms were given the highest possible rating by the regulator for their environmental performance.

Over the past five years , the firms have paid out a combined 2.8bn in dividends to shareholders.

Environment Agency said a four -star rating does not mean a firm is a 'perfect performer'.

Chief executive of Severn Trent given a 3.2 m pay deal in 2023/24 , including a bonus of 584,000 .

Louise Beardmore , chief executive of United Utilities , was paid 1.4 m in the year to 31 March 2024 .

United Utilities said methodology used in report is not one that is used by regulators or companies.

Water companies proposed investing 11bn to reduce spills by 40% by 2030 .

VR Score

84

Informative language

82

Neutral language

81

Article tone

semi-formal

Language

English

Language complexity

59

Offensive language

not offensive

Hate speech

not hateful

Attention-grabbing headline

not detected

Known propaganda techniques

not detected

Time-value

short-lived

Affiliate links

no affiliate links