Southern Water dumped raw sewage into sea for years

Company awaits sentencing after admitting 51 violations in biggest-ever Environment Agency investigation

Southern Water discharged enormous volumes of raw sewage into protected coastal waters for nearly six years causing very considerable environmental damage" because it was cheaper than treating it, a court has heard.

This was the worst case brought by the Environment Agency in its history", the court was told. Southern Water had acted deliberately" and had reaped considerable financial advantage" by allowing the discharges.