Thames Water absent from industry’s £180m anti-pollution drive

Ministers disappointed by decision of one of worst sewage dumpers not to join England-wide initiative

Thames Water has risked a fresh backlash over its commitment to tackling sewage dumping after it declined to commit funds to a 180m industry-wide initiative to fast-track efforts to reduce pollution in England's waterways.

The government said on Monday that the sum would be spent by six companies over the next 12 months to prevent more than 8,000 sewage spills, as water companies attempt to address their woeful record on tackling spills.

However, Britain's biggest water company, which has a 14bn debt mountain, has not taken part in the drive and it is understood that government officials are disappointed in its refusal to do so.